-;_FILM PRESERVATION ASSOCIATES ------8307 San Fernardo Road Sun Valley, CA 91352 Telephone: 818 768-5376
Presents BLACKHAWK FILMS in 16mm
Here are descriptions of more than two hundred 16mm films selected from the famous Blackhawk library: carefully-restored and beautifully-reproduced vintage comedies, dramas, documentaries, cartoons and special Interest movies, many In improved copies or new editions. some never before available. You'll find more than fifty films announced for the first time In these pages; their titles are in bold type in the Index on the Inside front cover. We're especially proud to offer ROOKIE OF THE YEAR. starring John Wayne, which is one of only two television films directed by the incomparable John Foret a much better version of Laurel & Hardy In PACK UP YOUR TROUBLES, which restores five minutes of footage missing from all copies distributed since 1932; an ''Our Gang" comedy, THE SPANKING AGE, which was long believed lost and which, now found, turns out to be enchanting; DESERT VICTORY and INSTRUMENTS OF THE ORCHESTRA. our first releases In a new series of British classic documentaries produced between 1929 and 1951 and printed from authentic negatives; a witty and spicy pre-code Flip the Frog cartoon, OFFICE BOY; Victor Seastrom's deeply-moving early feature INGEBORG HOLM; rare and wonderful comedy shorts with Charley Chase, Harry Langdon, Max Linder, Larry Semon, Max Davidson ... and dozens of top-quality reprints from outstanding Blackhawk releases of the past. many of them exceptional films which deserve your close consideration! Please contact us If you wish further Information or would like to recei\e supplemental announcements of our winter and spring Blackhawk favorites and new releases In print.
.. ---·--·-- ·-··-·---~----·-- AT A GLANCE
Inda by Title inside front oovcr ROOKIE OF THE YEAR Animation 21-23 (1955) $210 Automobile• 'Zl Aviation 'Zl Directed by John Ford; starring John Black History 25 Roacoe Arbuckle J.2.13 Wayne, with Vera Miles, Patrick Wayne, Charlie Chaplin 6-8 Russell Gleason and Ward Bond; Charley Cbaae 89 Screenplay Frank S. Nugent; Early Cinema 14-16 by Feature Filma 17-20,23 Photographed by Hal Mohr; Produced by D. W. Griffith 15,16 Hal Roach Studios ln association with the The Hal Roach Studio 1~12 Busta' Keaton 9 Screen Directors Guild. Harry Langdon w Law-cl le Hardy 1-3 John Ford shut down production on Tiu. Searchers 1bomaa R Ince 17 for a few days to make this little-known tele-.1sion Stan Laurel 10,11 film with much of his sam(• cast and crew, one of a Max Linder 16 series designed to prove the superiority of motion The Mack Sennett Studio 12,13 pictures over live transmission for broadcast. MWIIC 25 ROOKJE OF TI-IE YEAR stars John Wayne as a small Ordering Information inside front OO'Va' time sports reporter whose big break could be his "OurGang'' 46 discovery that outstanding rookie l'atrick Wayne's PatheFrerea 16 father, Ward Bond, was once a great ballplayer Pitta-Todd 11 disgraced In the Black Sox scandal.The colorful Railroad 'Zl characters, humor and sentiment one associates Snub Pollard 11 with John Ford and his s tock company are present Larry Semon 13 In full measure; this excellent film ls a real Todd-Kelly 11 discovery! Shipment rcstrlcted Lo dcsllnallons Tbe Vitagrapb Studio 13 Within the United Stales and Canada. 26 mlnu .cs. War 24 and much more I
Fall 1990 New Releue1 are Indicated by Bold face.
7 Adventurer, The 12 Fatal Glaae of ~r. The 6 Knockout The 8 Rink. The 8 All Teed Up 12 Fatty and Mabel Adrln 3 La..ibtacOlffJ' 27 Romantic Days of Fire Horses, The 24 Appeasement at Munlch 12 Fatty& fln-tnc Tllnp 3 Laurel and Hardy Murder Case, The Cvr Rookie of the T•r 12 Barney Oldfield's Race for a Ufe 23 Felix Cat & Gooee Golden Egg I Ubcrty 23 Room Runners 15 Battle at Eldcrbush Gulch, The 8 P1.runan,Tlle 17 We of Bulfalo BID, 11,e 6 Rounden, Tbs 19 Oatlleshtp Pl>temktn 27 Jttnt Ollddcll Tour-1905. Tbe 27 LICbtcr Tball Air 7 Shanghaied II Beauty and the Due 4 Flrat Seven Yean,, The 27 LoU1aC lllail...s. or the Well II Should Tall Men Many? 7 Behind the Screen 8 Floorwalker, The 24 London Can Take It 13 &how, The 2 Below Zero 21 t1ytng High 5 Lucky Comer, The 10 Shrimp, The 2 Oerth Marice 15 Failles, Foible• and hsblon1 14 Lumtere'a ftret Picture Show 20 aD...t Bllemy, The Olg Bustnese 18 FoallahWt.e. 6 Mabel's Marned Ufe 21 air Arthur Ceman Doyle 4 Olg Ears 15 ForBla&oll 5 Mama's UUle Pirate 21 Snappy Tunes 10 Blc Kick. The 5 Forgotten Babies 19 Marriage Circle, The Sona of the Deeert 12 Btg Moments from Utlle Pictures 10 45 Minutes From llollywood 16 Kaz Under Duo, A 4 SpanlLl.nc Ace, The 26 Blau Busta,o 13 Fsauda and. P'rezwea 14 MeMeo Tales of Terror 20 Spills and Chills 24 Olttzkricg Through Nazl Eyes 5 Free Eats 5 lllke Frlj&ht 4 Spook Spoofing 4 Bored of Education II Fresh Paint 13 ''ltiu" Jl'attJ'• -Ide LoTen 23 Spooks 2 Brats I From Soup lo Nuts 2S Moods of the Sea 6 Spooky Hooky 22 Brave 11n Soldier, The 22 FUnny ~·ace 16 llore from the l!:nchaated studio 14 Stolen Jools 17 Buflalo BIIJ•1 Wild WHt Sbow 27 Gadgelo Galore 12 111
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I. All copies arc printL-d to order. Normally, we use Eastman stock, mount on grey metal rL-cls and can ship within three weeks. Estar prints are available al a 5% surcharge 2. Terms: lnsUtulional purchase orders or payment with order, please. Please add sales tax if required, and add for shif,fing: $4 for orders up lo $200; $7 for orders totalling between $200 and $400: free shipping for each order over 00 to destinations In the USA. We ship UPS unless Parcel Post Is requested. 3. Returns will be accepted only for defects in the printing process (although we try for pcrfe< Uonl). 4. Use of these films Is limited to non-theatrical and home exhibition by direct projection only; all other uses, including stock shot, home video, television and theatrical exhibition, are rcseived. Most of these films are copyrighted In their cnlirety or to the extent of special contents or contain registered characters or trademarks. "Blackhawk Films" is a registered trademark of Republic Pictures Corporation. 5. Ila! _Roach productions marked with an asterisk may be shipped only to destinations In the United States, Its tcrrilones and possessions, to U. S. Government personnel at APO and FPO addresses, and lo the Dominion of Canada. Eastern Hemisphere rights In I !al Roach produclions arc controlled exclusively ":JY Clncmatografische ComcrL Anstalt and are rescivcd.
The Dlackhawk Films collection is owned and catalog contents arc copyright 1990 by Film Preservation Associates, 8307 San Fernando Road, Sun Valley, CA 91352'; (818) 768 5376...... ,,.._.,._~-n•""""""u•• •'""•..,_•,... • ..,..,...... ~ •. •.,.,••••• ~ •-•·'-....,,,,'•-•----•~o' _...... ,... . .-.n.-..•••-••""""",..,._.•.....,..... ,..,....,, • ...,...r,_...... ,...,. •• ,..,...,. • ...... ,,.. ••
DO DETECTIVES TIDNK? * Stan Laurel & Oliver Hardy (1927) NEW EDillON I $145 by Produced Hal Roach Studios James Ftnlay,ion (,Judge Foozlc) scntcnres the Tipton • Reslricted to U. S. and Camula Slasher !Noah Young) to hang - ·and I hope you choke! lne Sl:ish.-r vows revenge and e>tCapes. and the judge hires prokclion In the pero,0ns of "Ferdinand Fmkleberry -- the Features se It's 1917: Stan and Olhe arc n:cnillcd for the Army ( Ju.-.l as 1 thought - a couple of crummy. no good slac-kcnd ): after DOUBLE WHOOPEE * their wartime escapades, they keep a pron11sc made to their (1929) $145 buddy k1lled m action. locate hi'I ht tie l(lrl (the pc,,ple arc named Smith). and reunite her with her wealthy Stan and Olhc. a'! prnspccllvc hotel footman and doorman. grandparents. Wrote a cntic for the New York I lerald· are nustakcn for visiting royalty When Jean llarlow Tnbunc: ..,,,c w,gs. if fll>W di ,cl th,n ,a,m,·whill moth-eaten, alighls from a c-,1b and Footm,111 Stan closes the door on the kept the Capitol audience ln ~ale,, of l,111i:htcr . Or ml}1t,r. H tram of her gown, things really get rolling. Our current would be more accurate to »ay the US(' c-• tht·se w,g,. by Mr pnnt,; of DOlJBU-: WI IOOPEE arc tlw J,csl available m more Laurel and Mr !lardy." D.recl1·d by C,eor~e M=hall. the than a decad~ arKl have an orchestral sc·ore. 21 111111utcs. "upporung cast Includes Donald Dilla"·ay, Charles Middleton. Dilly Gilbert. Grady Sutron ,lame" Fi11!.1yson, J;1c-q111c Lyn 69 minutes FROM SOUP TO NUTS * (1928) $145 With their ,·xpcncncc (or lack of il) cooung from railroad SONS OF THE DESERT * .-atcncs. the boys ,u-c wailers for a posh dinner party. ·t11c1r (1933) $395 antics. as always. ar,· rral audience plcasers. but Amtu G<'trvtn as Mrs. Culpepper. the nouveau ric/t(' hostess "fl ha<; no1h111g ,1l all lo do with the clce,r·rt but pl< nty lo do desperate to Impress her friends. 1,-; a scene-stealer. She with real genuine laughter·· wi-ole '/he /lolly, ,,,od R.-porler of play~ lo ils fullest a Uara that won't slay put and a cherry thi~ ouwtand1ng feature. S1,u1 and Olltt· arc, delcrmlm·d to go lhal refUSC-s to be caught Slknt 20 minutes al 24 f.p.s. to lhc1r fraternal c-onvcnllcn hut thnr "-Ives have other idea'!, so Oil,., prel<'ncl>' lo be •uck ancl 11 'doctor ordcrn him on a long sea voyage with St;m In all,·ndar11·c. 1 ,oow from LIBERTY * the c-onvt'nlton. they learn I hat lhc ship th,·ir wivc.s though! (1929) $145 they were on had wrecked! W11h Ch,irky Ch"'"'· tili n11nut,·s Laurel and llardy wnturc mlo dan-dcvil comedy 111 URF.lr!Y when they ply their craft on girders 200' above L.A. The spccwl effects tcehnology that would have allowed them to WAY OUT WEST * stay on the: ground was still loo new so they shot for more (1937) $395 than 15 days on a 3-slory gird.-r" set constructed on lop the Weslcrn Costume hu1ld1ng m downtown !..A Th<'y end up there after they e,icapc from prison. change into plain "Seven r<:cls of perfPcljoy, w11lt tfw eim,•dtari., CIC tlwir besl clothe.,; In a car and discover thcy·re wearing each other's in bn:/Uanl/y turwd routine.s, plus Cll'll song riurnher.s a.s a panl,i. Their atlempL" lo ng)11 the goof ts the comic Iheme on bonus." · tJc,lltweU·s Film G11id1;'. which Stan and Ollie create a ftlm full of very funny. ma:-1tcrful variallons Film Classws .. main titles· MGM Laurel and Hardy arc ··tenderhccl · desert prospector,, fn ~ore from 1929 Vitaphone di!lC"s. 20 minutes search of the daughkr of a late friend who ,itruck il nch. TI,c daughter is a s lave in a s.1loor. run by Jimmy ' inlay,10n - and Jimmy tries lo pass off hi" wife II" the ht'.1rc ,,. But right TWO TARS triumphs! Print" ha,e original main illlc>t cx··ept for the * Blackhawk Indian superimposed over l.<·o the !.Ion ·Nol (1928) $145 only one of chl'ir mosl perfrcl film, iI. m ,ks wLClt 11-u? bes! Two sailors on leave. Stan and Olhc pick up a couple of screen comedy nnywlu•re ·· /)opu/ lfobrn.son. 1962. 06 flappers for a joy ride in the country. ~:n route they minull:!:J encounter a ma9Sive tralfa: Jam. Oll1e lntcivcnes. motorists' temper,, flare, and an r.ndlcss line of Model T,; 1s more or less systematically pulled apart. crushed. smashed or otherwise Silent Shorts ruined One of their funniest and most famous c-omt:dies. {some with added rnus1c scores) Silent. with added music score: 22 minutes. BIG BUSINESS * WRONG AGAIN * (1929) $145 (1929) $145 When the famous 131ue Uoy"· pamtrng 1s reported stolen. Stan and Olhe an· Chn<;lmas tree 'liilcsmcn In ,iunny ,1table hands Stan and Olli,· confuse it with "IJluc Boy. th,· California -- In July! ln'llc,1d of pew e 011 earth. a prlvate w,ir race hon,e. They uy lo rctun1 him lo the art collector who. ensue,i with James Ftnluy,ion ..dmost dev;istattng the unaware of the .-onfusion, mslnKls them to bnng ii tn and neighborhood nus is one of th,· gn·at etHrtt·dy clJ Working as bandsmen In a municipal orchestra, Stan and Olllc antagonize the conductor by missing fhelr mwilcal cues and shuffilng all the sheet music. Oecldliig that they'll ruin his performance no more. the conductor opens the door on a new career for the Boys. as street musicians. Playing clarinet and French Hom as best they can, the sidewalk twosome Is doing none loo well. Falling through manholes, tangling with traffic, and quarreling with cops, the Boys arc spectacularly unsuccessful. Flnally, tempers narc even between Stan and Ollie (Hardy says, "I wouldn't mind training a seal or an elephant -- but you're hopeless"). prcclpllallng an eye-poldng. coat-ripping. shin kicking, pants-pulling cxchaugc that soon envelops scores of passersby ln a huge f:rcc-for-alll It's all topped by what Is probably Laurel and Hardy's neatest closing gag ever. The synchronized music and effects, particularly on a silent repeatedly coaxtng "Ethel" bnck lo bed, and rages In, revolver comedy with music as Its theme, make a great addition lo a In hand. There arc good circus gag:1 and an especially funny temnc fllml Supervlscd by Leo McCarcy; directed by Edgar and sweet scene with chimp Ethel (In a ballet skirt) and Kennedy. 21 minutes Stanley dancing the night away. All this and a lot more fun before Dilly's revolver ends up In our Ethel's hands for a really big ending. 26 minutes. Sound Shorts COMECLEAN * BELOWZERO • (1931) $145 (1930) $145 Ollie and his wife arc looking forward lo a quiet evening al home -- only to have the doorbell ring and discover "those Laurel and I lardy arc street musicians -- Stan Is on the 1..aurcls." The Boys go out for some cc cream and, on their portable organ. and Ollie pl.-iys bass -- passing a hat for what way home, are Innocent spectators al Mac Busch's "suicide." meager lncome comes their way. But then they find a They bring her to the Hardy's apartment and spend a hectic billfold and bills. lnv!tc the cop on the beat to lunch, and evening lryl11g to hide the floozle fron, thelr wives! With Mac discover the wallet ls his! Original main titles; 21 minutes. Busch and Gertrude Astor; "Film Classics" titles. 22 minutes. BERTH MARKS * (1929) $145 COUNTY HOSPITAL * (1932) $145 Stan and Ollie arc a "big Ume" vaudeville team cnroulc from one theater to another In the upper berth of an open section Ollie Is ln traction rccovertng from an accident, and Stan pullman. Only the second Laurel & Hardy talkie, the film Is pays a visit with a sympathy gift of hard-bo!led eggs and largely Improvised and Is based on Stan's memories of life nutsl But the visit turns out lo be more adverse to Ollie's as a travelling music-hall performer Original main titles; well-being than the accident. COUmY HOSPITAL was the 21 minutes. first two-reel comedy ever chosen for showing al the famous Roxy Theater ln New York. 19 minutes BRATS * (1930) $145 HELPMATES * (1932) $145 Playing both fathers and sons. Stan and Ollie babysit their respective juniors. Chips off the old blocks. the junior One of their best short films. Ollie and Stan humedly clean destroycra almost break up the long friendship between their house (at least that's what they mean lo do) after a wild party pan:nt.s. Ovcrstzcd :icts and props used lo create the Illusion the night before and on learning Ollie's wife Is due ln from of the Boys as boys make BRATS unique. Origtnal maln Chicago al noon. Stanley finally gets the place spotless after Utlcs, 21 minutes. Oliver leaves, late, for the tral11 station. Friend Stan's fllllshlng touch ts lo build a cheery ''welcome home" fire. but the gasoline he pours on the fake logs s not lhc solution. Ollie returns wtlh a black eye and no wife lo find Stan THE CIDMP * hosing down what's left of the house. This Jewel wraps up (1932) $210 poignantly with Oliver sitting In the rain In the rooncss remains of his house "Film Classics'' titles; 21 minutes. TIIE CHIMP was the first of several lAH comedies with imagtnattvely animated opening title sequences, In this case two clowns holding a trampoline which rips Lo reveal each ULlc. Previously unavailable, we're delighted to announce HOGWILD • our prints have the original maln lilies restored. Beyond the (1930) $145 stunning titles, we 0nd Stanley being paid off with a flea circus and Ollie with Ethel "the human chimpanzee" when Ollie has promised hts wife he Will put a radio aerial on the the circus they work for goes broke. Ala "Angora Love," they roof and Stan arrives Just tn Lime to "help." The climax have lo hide U1elr new assets from the landlord. The chimp comes when the ladder lo the roof, balanced on top of a takes over the best bed forcing the boys Lo sleep In the less Model T. takes off ln city traffic with Ollie on top and Stan good one commandeered by the fleas. Landlord Billy Gilbert, along but not really al the wheel. ''Film Classics" main whose wife's name happens also lo be Ethel, hears Hardy Utlcs; 20 minutes. 2 ------~·...... -...... _ ·--~•"".. "'.,,.rm""""r,...... _,, ,o_•••••••-••••~- ... -m ...... -...... ---·•..-.W•-''-"_...,...... ,..,.....,.__ _...... ,_.•..•. ._....,. . .•••...... ,..,""""'...,_..,...... ,. .. , - ,n.,.....,..,..__ _ THE HOOSE-GOW • (1929) $l45 black cats. and a stonny night complete with 11ghtning flashes. screams, murder and suspects. Why? All because "One of Laurel und Hardy's best early 1..,Jk1cs" according lo Ollie thinks Stan_ is the long-lost heir of the !ale tycoon historian Randy Skredvedt. 111E IIOOSE GOW from Ebeneezer l..aurdl · Murder in the worst degree ... dare we say Blackhawk Is better yet because we arc usln~ cxc-dlt-nl new "you11 die laughing"? Onp;lnal main tttlcs; 28 minutes. picture and sound negatives. with all origiudl lillcs. Set ln the days of prohlb1t1on, our boy,i arc amo~ the oc,·upants of a paddy-wagon bdng delivered lo the penitentiary because they were ''watchmg a ra1d··1 1ltey pro"e th ·mscl\'C'S no more THE MUSIC BOX • adept al dealing with Jail than at escaping H - bu1 1hc gand climax Is a gooey rice-throwing mclce which begins when (1932, Academy Award for Best Short) $210 Stan tries to plug a leak. chopped by Ollie's pick. In the radlaLOr of the governor's officl.11 earl W11h 11ny Sandford. Stan and 0111e must deliver a player piano up a very long. Jimmy Finlayson; IH minutes. very steep flight of steps to the home of Professor Theotlore von SchwarzhofTen (Billy Gilbcri). Sisyphus reduced to the absurd. Original main lltlc-s: 30 mtnulcs. LAUGIIlNG GRAVY • (1931) $145 THEIR FIRST MISTAKE• (1932) Tot" Laurel & I l;irdy comedy of 1931 Is co, ,ldercd hy many $145 lo be u talking version of their silent 111m ily of two years previously. Angora Love. We'll adn11t th:11 there arc Ollie Is married to Mae Busch who Is none too happy about s1mllar!ttcs. but a story built ;irnuncl a go, t (a.· m Angora his being out c:very night Wlth bachelor fncnd, Slan. Stan L..vt1el as opp<>scd to an appc.olrng hlllc: dui.: (as t.i /.nu Stan is taking !'arc of Olhc who has a cold, but in tht: course of l11s mlmstral1ons he punctures a water pipe. parboils his LAUGHING GRAVY (l~Ul) pall<'nl's feel. :ind eventually destroys the whole one room a partment which Ollie rents from long-sulTcring Charlie SPANISH REEL THREE * llall l..turcl and Hardy's fifth lalkle for Ila! Roach. the film Separately, $7~>.00 mines every comic- possibility of !ls one-set situation. If ordered with the c-omµlctc fllm In £11gli<.h $65.00 nlackhawk enhanced the original sound from disc W1th a formidable explos1011 whi !Jere·,., a creepy "haunted house" lhnlkr that lnrks11ucs ·he avasfa6u j1om ?-foon.stcmt 1.'rw, PO. 'Bo;c 142, 'BtVtTUj '}{1£&, C~ old-dark-house myslcrks of the 1920 s. !;t,lll ,,nd O he 9021 l 'Paptr6ac.f, J14 95' • J1 50 po.1t"9t ant! li.a,,iifi"IJ; California bcromc Involved with a strange butler, the pull, c. heir,;, re.suunu at!,! ta,t 3 "Our Gang'' Comedies with Hal Roach's Little Rascals • ReslTicted lo U.S. arui Canada Sound Shorts Silent Shorts BIG EARS• (with added music scores) (1931) $145 &: Stymie and Whcczer pul their heads together lo uy and CAT, DOG CO. * detour Wheezer's squabbling parents from divorce court. (1929) $145 Their contrivance succeeds, leaving Wheezcr with reunited parents and a very sick tummy. Stymle"s quips arc ,Joe, Farina and I larry arc racing Lheir one-dog-power kiddie Incisively funny: Pete the Pup steals nearly every scene he's cars when Mrs. l'resldcnl of Lhc Be Kind to Animals Society, In. and tndMdual sequences are delightfully charming. The played by lledda !lopper. convinces Lhcm that they should subject. however. ls divorce, which may be awkward to more greaUy revere all life. They sel out lo persuade the explain to kids who might attend your screenings. The short others. including Wheezer who (in a well done special effects Is "rare." though. Insofar as It Is frequently censor<.-d and sequence) envisions hlmsdf dwarfed by giant animals shelved by local 1V stations aerllss the country. Original dressed as humans who Inform him that he Is on lr1al for main titles; 22 minutes. cruelty lo animals. The hilanous dlmax has the gang, now of one mind. sweeping through town freeing every beast In Culver Clly. much to Lhe alarm of ils eilfzens who flnd themselves swimming In a sea of mice. rabbits, chickens, BORED OF EDUCATION • frogs, cats, rats and dogs. Score from 1929 Vltaphonc disc; (1936, Academy Award Winner) $75 origmal main titles. 21 minutes. Facing a new school year and a new teacher, Spanky and Alfalfa conlr1ve to skip class by rigging a phony. bulging THE SPANKING AGE • toothache with a balloon. The:r scheme seems to work. (1928) $165 Problem Is, once they've left class. the would-be truants discover their pretty, new teacher has arranged an ice cream Newly restored, TIIE SPANKING AGE ls one of the rarest party to teach them a lesson, and now the lwo fakers have lo extant Our Gang comedies, never televised nor clrculaled on get back INTO school. Except Tor the balloon stopper he film since Its flrsl release by MGM In 1928. 1t·,i also a real swallows, Alfalfa's In fine voice for the flnale song. "Believe charmer! Mc. If /\II Those Endearing Young Charms." BORED OF EDUC/\TION, a slick remake of the mor e famous Whccu:r and Mary Ann arc n cglcc- tcd In favor of their lE/\CHEH'S !'ET. was the first Our Gang single n-eler after stepmother's own unclfous c-hllcl, ,Jean Darling, The old flfteen yn1r,; of the two reel fom1at and 1he winner of the meanie abusc,i the lwo kids, who take ft out on Pele Lhe Pup, Academy /\ward for Best Shon Subjl·ct of 1936. Onginal who in turn goes after the cat. "Spanked if they did, spanked main titles: 11 minutes. 1f they didn't ... so they did .. ". Mary Ann decides to throw an elegant party with homerrn,de shrimp salad and lnv1les the Gang to the culinary disaster which results. DIVOT DIGGERS • Beyond Its wit and general fclidly. TIIE SPANKING AGE ts a (1936) $145 real stylistic experiment. Its camera always assume!< the chlld's poinl of view, so adults arc shown only from the Our Gang 1s out for a game of golf, complete wilh a set of waist down. Perhaps director Robert McGowan was Ured of cuslom dubs · a ladling !ipoon, hammer, billiard cue. the publicity being given to fancy Imported fllmmakers and shovel, be.in-shooter, and other Imaginative devices After wanted to show that even the humble two-reel comedy could digging plenty of divots of their own. they arc recruited by a scale the heights of cinema artl Very nin: prints; score from desperate caddy master for a foursome of duffers lt"s all MGM Vitaphone discs. 20 minutes topped off by a wild chase over the course when ,llggs, lhe Gangs pet chimp. takrs off In a runaway lawnmower This Is the last Our Gang picture directed by ,;cries mentor Bob SPOOK SPOOFING • McGowan. and one of his flm·sl ever, t'as1ly ranking among (1928) $145 Lhc top ten of all 222 Our G~ comedies. IL 1s absolutely fresh and undated. bnmrnlng with sigh1 gags. heart. fun. Farina, J0<·. Whe,·1,er and all Lhe Gang have a comedy here of a<·lwn, peppy background music . when- forty laughs per graveyards and ghosts Ideal for I lallowe"n- Farina brags n:el Is par! With Spanky. Alfalfa, Uuckwheat, Porky. lhrla, lhat his "mumbo jumbo" charm will protect him: Toughy Pete the Pup and ,Jiggs the Chim;,anzee. Ongin.,1 marn 111lcs: picks a fight. ancl when Farina Invokes the c-harm. Toughy 15 mlnulcs. pretends lo die. The last laugh Is on lhe pranksters when they experience an eclipse of the sun. Pipe orl!an score by John Muri. 22 minutes. THE FIRST SEVEN YEARS • (1930) $145 WIGGLE YOUR EARS • (1929) $145 ·nlls "Our Gang" comedy explore:. the age-old sltw1llon of two boys (Jackie Cooper and ··speck" Haines) seeking the affection of one girl (Mary Ann Jackson). A fnendly nvalry Mary Ann loves that Hany can wiggle his ears: but when degenerates into fisticuffs and flnally Into a durl. Instead of Jean comes on the scene. Harry says hell wiggle only for her eac-h other. they manage lo cut hanging laundry, car lires. from now on. Farina counsels Mary Ann that the way lo barn doors and even Innocent bystanders They enlist the win be her man b.ack 1s to a napper. so that's what she docs. aid nf nfTlC·e.r ~:d!!aT Kenn<"dy, Sp,·c-k's dad, ,Jark1c's irandma, Meanwhile Joe Is after Mary Ann's a ffections and decides and rvcn J\,tc. the halo-eyed pup 19 minulcs the surest way to woo her Is to wiggle his cars. So he goes after her wilh an elaborate device and with the Gang al lhe ... the first real ''winner· of the ~ound era, a delightful short wiggle controls. The musical score Is synchronized from the that works in every respect . ."- Leonard Malnn and Richard 1929 MGM Vltaphone discs, 21 minutes. w. Bann. Ow Gane: The Ltfc an I nm"" of the LHtle RascaJs. 4 FORGOTTEN BABIES • (1933) $145 Spanky's friends are burdened by rcsrxn1-stb1hty - S< hool all HOOK AND LADDER * week and baby-sHtmg on Saturdays with no t•mc for sk! my (1932) $145 dipping or fishing. A Httlc !)('.t'r pn'.ssure plus a 1oud1 of b lackma11 puts Spanky in eharg" of all thr oaby brothers ~~cry kid dreams of being a On:man. but the Gang decides to and sisters. Spanky h olds the lflllc darlings sp.-llbo•md lwe Its dreams. '!heir Ore engine ts an amazing contrapUon temporarily as he tells a harrowtng Tarzan t.1 k, purwtuatccl that wobbles from side lo side, but they actually succeed in with growls and ferocious faces. but hl-. troubles bc!(m "'hen pulling out a fire. With Dickie Moore. Stymie. Spanky and the story ends. Plnl-stu:d energ1ci. explode· In all ,hrcct 1011!1 Spud, Original main titles; 19 mlnules. and nothing ts safo The chaos chm,,xc~ wh HEARTS ARE THUMPS * (1937) $75 THE LUCKY CORNER * (1935) $145 It's V"lcnt1ncs IJay at SC'houl. ,incl the hoy~ and girls exchange vaknllncs, all cxc<'pl those st111dv lndl\idu.,hsls lrrcwrcm c for prc-tcnt101,s pcopl,· is a frcqut'nt tJ1cmc in the Spank, Alfalfa and Ouckwh<",d !;panky sw,·,,rs hrs comcrhn, dtnTtnl by Gus Mc111s. Few illustrate the concept companion" into the ( le Man/Woman ( later~ Club. They of ups<"lllng stuffed shirts as wrll as TI[E LUCKY COl~NEH. promise "not lo fall for this valcntrnc. husin,·ss !,'-'cause !{iris whnc the nwani<:s arc a father and son who operate a diner arc bunk " But the hoys h:idn I rcC'kon<'d on D.1rl.1 No and do their bc:,,I In crowd cornpct1lmn off the block. The sooner has Alfalfa taken the vow, than h,· 1s lured by her ·competition is the tiny. portable lemonade stand run by winning smile and luscious lunch. ''A fast mo, Ing. cnlirdy Scotty Occkl'.tt and his grandpa. Bratty Leonard Kfbrick satisfying one-reeler" (Leonard Mall111 ,md l{1cha1d W chases thdr stand off the com,·r. at which outs1a:d Spanky Dann, Our G TEACHER'S BEAU * Fatty Arbuckle. Charlie Chaplin. Charley Chase, Minta (1935) $145 Dunce. Phyllis Allen, Al St. John The Little Rascals--Spanky. Scotty Beckett. Alfalfa, Charlie and neighbor Fatty arrive home Upsy and arc met Buckwheat. Stymie, and all the othcrs--lcam that their by their Irate wives. Such a loud ~s ensues across the hall lovely teacher, Miss Jones, Is to be married. Ralph, her that Charlie's wife sends him to stop the mayhem. Soon flanccc. says their next teacher will be a grouchy ogre named everyone Is Involved tn the fracas, and while the wtvcs swtng Mrs. Wilson. The Rascals concoct all sorts of schemes to at each other, the boys slip away. Outstanding ensemble keep the marriage from happening, but they all backfire. playtng by Chapltn and Arbuckle; very good print quality. especially when Ralph announces that Miss Jones Is to One of the most enjoyable Keystones. 13 mtnutes at 18 fps. become Mrs. Ralph Wilson! 19 minutes. silent. 6 ------~~ - - - ------···---····· ····-·------·------·--·-···------'Tfie 'Essan.ay Comeaies 'During tfu 'Dsanay ptrioa, Cfiaplin began to= into fus own. Camp6ef£, will escapt only to stuml,u aw(.wartfly into anotfur ~tli mort tirru: tfevotuf to preparation, fiis unll{lu talent was in tfay antf mort trou!Ju. 'T1ie littu tramp is rtalfy fiis own worst grtattr witftnu, Wttfi k.ss antf k.ss tftpentfen.:e on slapsticl entrrty, a t11ctim of fiis own naturt--restk.ss, easily tfi.stractt.tf, ~t al£ of tlie Cfiaplin 'Lssanays art two rukrs, and all rJert self irululgtnt and f iercely intfepentftnt. ':fulfifling tfu Mutual painstaf;Jngly protfucetf. 'But fus popularity so st;_yrod;JteJ in contract, f suppose, was tfu liappiest perioa of my career,· 1915 tfiat 'Mutual was able to sign liim away from £.ssana~ 111 rua{[ttf Cliapun nearly fifty years later. ·r was liglit and ~February, 19 J6. wimcumoma, twenty-seven years o{a, witfi fa6ulou.s prospects antf a fnendly, gfamorou.s woruf before mt. 'Mtfun a sfu:m time f would he a mi{[wnaire -- it all sumetf sCigfitly mad.' :film A NIGHT OUT Prtservatwn outn.s and futS tlrawn upon tfu finest suroiving (1915) $1 4 5 35mm f ilm negatives and masters in prepan."9 tfitse etfitions of IM fa,rww Cliap6n '].{utuaf.s. 'T1ie music swres were atfaetf oy Charlie Chaplin and Den Turpin have been tryh,g to drink the town dry. Not sober enough lo know where he· ts. Ch 1.rlic tfu '!Ian 'lleurm Corporation in 1932-34 anti require projection goes up lo the hotel desk, tries to put his foot on u phantom at 24 frarru:s per secoruf. 'Ikst dttions are ful[y titfuf. brass ratl and drink the Ink. The morning a fter Includes a custard pie, a dunking tn the fountain and more chasing. A NIGi-IT OUT was released by Essanay on February 15, 1915, and Is presented here as It originally appeared. It m..irk.ii 1p 26 minutes BEIIlND THE SCREEN al 18 fps, silent. (1916) $145 ,\ parody of hr.- at the Mack Scnm:t t studio wtlh Charlie as Da,'icl the a ssistant stagehand to lazy Goliath, bnlliantly 'Tfie 9vfutua{ Comedies played by Eric Campbell who earned screen immortality as Cfui,kr Spencer Cliaplin srgnttf a contract uM li tfu 'Mutual the "'heavy'" tn this comedy sclics. The wind-up Is a pie flght to end them all 21 minutes . :fiCm Corporation on Jeornary 25, 1916, at an unpruuentuf $670,000 for a .mus of twdve two-red comtdy protfuct,orr.r. 'It mtans tliat f am left fru to ht JU.St as f unny as f iare, ' announce{ Cliapfin, 'to tfo tlie best work.._ tfiat rs in rru: ' THE COUNT (1916) 'Btginning an 'Marcli anti for tlie nttt s~tun rrwn1fis, Chapfui $145 supuvi.sea production, wrott, a,rectttl and Jl 7 EASY STREET THE RINK (1917) $145 (1916) $145 Charlie Is "saved" when he visits the Rescue Mlssloo on Easy Charlie ta a clumsy waiter who serves a ltvc cat to a Street, the toughest neighborhood In town, and he falls tn restaurant patron and makes out the check by examining love with evangeltst Edna. Determined lo make good. he what Mr. Stout has spilled on h.s suit. Then It's off to Edna's becomes a patrolman. Poltcemen never return from Easy skating party, where Chaplin shows amazing grace and Slreel, but Charlie triumphs: "Love backed by force, agility on roller skatea. Love:, Jealousy. falls and speed Forgiveness sweet, Bring hope and peace to Easy Street." combine tn a film favorite. 22 minutes. Blindingly funny and deeply moving -- and this ta the ~l looklng l 6mm print of this comedy available in decades. 20 minutes. THE VAGABOND (1916) $145 THE FIREMAN (1916) This Is Charlie ln an oµtstand1ng performance as a slrcet $145 violinist, and In a lllm, which more than any other up to that time, anticipates the pathos that was to become so much with Edna Purviance, Eric Campbell, Uoyd Bacon, Leo a part of Chapltn's later great ftbns such as The Kid, The Gold White, John Rand, Frank J. Coleman and James T. Kelley Rush and CUy Lights. Charl!c befriends and rescues a young girl. played by Edna Purviance, who has been kidnapped by Charlie Is driver of a pumper wagon In this one and gets gypsies. Through a aeries of circumstances, her wealthy Involved In an arson plot hatched by his girl's father and fire mother locates her and takes her back home, leaving chief, Eric Campbell. When the lady gets trapped in the fire, Charlie heartbroken and alone. But there Is a happy cndtng. he rushes to the scene minus most of the engine, but makes 23 minutes at 24 fps. an heroic rescue anyway. One of our best-looking Mutual prints, the comedy also gains by substanUal locaUon work around semi-rural Los Angeles. 21 minutes. Charley Chase THE FWORWALKER (1916) $145 ALL TEED UP • Charlie's first comedy In this famous group of twelve (1930) $145 Mutuals has him dealing with a pair of escalators (and a department store detective) In escapades In the slapstick Charley Chase meets Thelma Todd at a lunch counter, and tradition of hts earlier Keystone and Essanay producUons. pretends to be a golfer when he doesn't even know lhe game In the process, he thwarts some skullduggery on the part of uses clubsl An amazing run of beginner's luck ends when the manager making off w1th the day's receipts -- and he crusty Dell Henderson conks Charley with a ball, which wins the girl. 22 mlnutes. leads lo devastation on the ltnks. But Thelma meant him to go to the course across the street. so all's well until he asks her father, Edgar Kennedy, about the stock markcU Kennedy THE IMMIGRANT also directed this well-paced comedy, and there's nice (1917) $145 balance between visual and verbal humor, clever use of non synchronous sound, and a lovely over-the-shoulder look at Edna and Charlie are steerage passengers en route to semi-rural Los Angeles. But the big surprise comes when America: later they meet again In a restaurant. On these Charllc breaks a prized set of golf clubs one by one over his spare bones, Chaplin hangs one of the most adroit and knee and utters a clear, undeleted cxplcttvcl Prints are substantive comedies of the silent era. 2 l minutes. excellent, with original Utles. 21 minutes. ONEA. M. THE CHASES OF PIMPLE ST. * (1916) $145 (1935) $145 ONE A.M. ts unique among all Chaplin's work for (other Ah, for the Joys of havtng your sister-In-law llvtng with you, than the opening scene with Albert AusUn as a taxi driver) It Charley might say; he can't even gd In his own bathroom In Is a solo act with Charlie up against a large cast of lhe morning to shave. He drcsse~ himself, unwttUng):y, In mischievous and malevolent props, Including the most two pairs of pants. Leaving for work, his wife tells htm lo famous wall bed In all of cinema. Inebriates were Chaplin's "smile and the world smiles wtl), you." When everyone stage specialty, and this film culminates a decade of his laughs aa he walks to work, he thinks It's because he's comic drunks. The Impeccable logic of Its near-plotlessncss smiling. That cventng hts wife Is mistaken for his slstcr-ln and the amazing pantomime repay frequent viewings and law and out she goes with the boss' out-of-town client! With careful study. 18 minutes. Betty Mack: directed by Chase (under his real name, Charles Parrott). "Film Classics" main titles 20 minutes. THE PAWN SHOP CRAZY LIKE A FOX (1916) $145 (1926) $145 Charlie ts a pawnbroker's assistant who, despite amazing dexterity, ts unable to master the simplest tasks (he tests the 'J'wo millionatrcs want their respective son and daughter, goldfish with actd to sec whether the gold Is real and who have never met. to mll1T)', The son Is Charley: the performs major surgery on an alarm clock). Yet In the end daughter ts Martha Sleeper. The kids do everything they can he vanquishes Eric to wtn Edna's heart and his employer's to avoid the matchmaktng sltuaUon, only to meet each other forgiveness. TI-IE PAWN SHOP Is parUcularly notable for Its and fall in Jove without any "help" at all. One of the use of props. It ls so replete wtth comic transformaUon that outstanding Chase two-reelers directed by Leo McCarcy, this neither Gilbert Scldes (The 7 lively Arts) nor Theordore Huff film Is offered for the first time from Blackhawk tn 16mm. (Charlie ChapUn), each of whom attempted simply to The prints have all original Pathe titles and are beautiful dcscrtbc cvcrythtng that happens, was able to set down more except for an Intermittent white SCTalch printed through than a fraction of Its witty business. 22 mtnutcs. from the ortgtnal camera negative In portions of the the second half. Silent: 20 minutes at 24 fps. 8 A HASTY MARRIAGE * Buster Keaton (1931) $145 The trolley car selling of this Charley Ch.i'lr romedy. COPS unavailable since the 1970's, makes 1t mon· ,,ppc.iltng today (1922) $145 than when flrsl released. Charley has amh1t1ons to l>ceomc a streetcar motorman but m the dcpres.q1on days of 19'.l I . the A nice looking and complete print of Busler Keaton's trolley company Is hiring only married nwn. Gay (llllian Elliot) and Charley decide lo have a "hasty m<1m,,ge·· despite encounter wilh 1.000 policemen. Silent u.1!.h a pipe organ sc-on: by Gaylord Carter 19 minutes. the opposition of her mother Most of the ac·1i11n take;. place around. Inside and on top of thr trolky , .1r \.\llh James Finlayson at the conlrol,,i 21 mu,utcs IDGH C'S * (1930) $175 HIGH C'S stars Charley Chase a.q a World War draflc · who b sent to France where he meet.'! and 1s wc><><.·cl by Thdn•a Todd When he runs Into the Rnnch Boys, ,rs >1ong at f\1 st sight pro,1ng that war ... al least in Ihm movk . clocs11 'l have to be hell. This d"11g),tful flln1 wa., such a suc-c.-ss th.ii Hc~u-h soon followed it with a sc Charley Chase: hopes the H0<·k ,way C hamber of Comm,·rc c TILLIE WAKES UP will buy some property hr has there - ,r he shows 1h.-1r (1917) $250 purchasing comm,tlec a good time To cinch the ,ialc. Charley hires 1.hrec. er. lachn, of 1hc ,·H·rnni, to whoop thrngs Maek Scnncll brought Marie Dressler. already a famous up big. But Instead of the ong111al buyas. Hockllway sends slagc pcrsonahly. lo the screen ,n 1914 to co star u.1th three dourpusscs All looks bad unlil Charley breaks the Ice Charlie Chaplin 111 Ttllie'.~ Punctured Romance. 11LLIE w,th a game of post office, and the buller serves praet,cally WAKES UP. produced by Peerless Worlcl Pu:lures and pure alcohol billed as J\llce. This very fmmy film ends u.1lh a rclcasccl in ,January 1917, was an altogether successful seltzer figh1 on a lruly Wagncnan sc-alc Featuring /\nita follow up ancl began a Virtual "Tilhe scncs stamng Miss Garvin. Thelma Todd, Dell I rndnsnn. Carl Stockdale-. Dressler, but filmed by a vancty of di!Tercnt companies. A directed by James W. llom e 21 n11nu1cs . youthful Johnny I hoes co !ilar.; S1kn1. 53 mm. al 18 fps. 9 From the Hal Roach Studio • Restricted to U.S. and Canada dialogue. but since there's hard!y anyone for him to talk lo. at lea.st half the fllm Is wordless (there Is a musical score of breezy ·20·s favorites like "Ain't We Got Fun" and 'What11 I All-Star Comedies Do?" checkerboarded with stock silent picture themes). 1l-!E BIG KICK compares favorably wtth the two-reel Mack Sennett comedies which made Langdon a star. Blackhawk's printlng negaUve ts made from a nitrate fine graln and CALL OF THE CUCKOOS • qualJty ts very good. 20 mlnutes. (1927) $145 Guest appearances by Laurel & Hardy, Charley Chase, Jimmy Finlayson THE SHRIMP* (1930) $145 Max Davison and Lillian Elltoll arc Mama and Papa Gimplc:wart and Spec O'Donnell ts their son •· love's greatest with Thelma Todd mistake. Papa Glmplcwart wants to sell their home because a bunch of cuckoos · - Laurel and Hardy, Charley Chase and Timld Hany Is the boarder ln a household full of obnoxious Jimmy Finlayson •• live next door and think they are stcreotypes-·a glutton, the lazy husband, the mouthy blonde, operattng a school for radio announcers. Papa finally a tough guy--and they all have It In for Harry. A girl loves makes a deal, sight unseen and no questions asked, for a him, but what can she do If he won't stand up for himself'? As beautiful-looking home In a lovely sec tion of the city •. only he's ambling along ln his silly sad way, a scienUst singles to find It lo have been a quickie and subject to falling apart him out as the most Umld man he's ever seen. He takes like a house of cards. Things climax when the relaUvea Harry to an audltot1um full of people walling for an appear as housewarmers, but the final pay-off ts the happy experiment to begin. A delightful. mad-scientist-type sits group of Slan, Ollie, Charley and Jimmy seen through the Hany down ln a huge chair while assistants complete window exclaiming: 'We've moved In next door!" Made by preparations. I !any Is Injected with a scrum which gives I !al Roach In 1927, this Is a very satisfactory vintage comedy him the tough, tenacious tempcran,ent of a bulldog. He with particular appeal today because of Laurel and Hardy's spt1ngs from the chalr, runs to the boarding house, turns It guest appearance 20 minutes at 24 fps: silent, upside down. straightens his tormen~ors out, and wlns the girl. A fantastic and highly entertalntng transformation; see Harry doing what you always wmted him to do! 19 minutes. 45 MINUTES FROM HOLLYWOOD (1926) $145 with Glenn Tryon, Rube Clifford, Sue O'Neil, Cha rlotte Mineau, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy Stan Laurel While George M. Cohan lmmortall.:eed New Rochelle In 45 Mlnules From Broadway, a famed stage play and movie of the era, Hal Roach seized the same concept for this parody. JUST RAMBLING ALONG Join the fun as three rubes visit the cinema capital and run (1918) $75 Into a pair of crooks out to part the country folk from their bankroll. It's real life, but all so Improbable that Glenn and his family think It's actually some producer's next hit film . This early work of Stan Laurel exhibits an unusual. and no country boy would want lo be left out of that. This Is faS(:lnatlng sense of timing and comedy expression, both the first Roach fllm ln which both Oliver Hardy and Stan brought to the screen from the stage. As a result. ,JUST Laurel appeared. For many years the Blackhawk copies of RAMBLING ALONG shows a completely different style from this film lacked the scene with Stan Laurel, but this new the Stan Laurel of the twenties. edition Is fully restored. Audiences captivated with the glamor of the movie capital loved this; we think you will. Stan Is ln front of a beach cafeteria, obviously out of funds. too. 22 minutes at 24 fps.; silent. The management Is on to him. for when h ~ marches Into the cafeteria with a strtng of dashing blades trailing bathing beauty Clarine Seymour, he Is tossed ou1 on his ear. But outside, the teenage son of the cop on the beat has just found fifty cents on the walk, and while he Is displaying his loot, Stan grabs It and Is back In the cafeteria, dlsplay:tng It Langdon himself. Following an unsucccs.'lful play "or Clarine, Stan Harry gets In llne and. after sampltng everything, ends up with a ten cent check. He moves to the same table as Clartnc, who switches her $1.50 tab for his and leaves. Stan gets It all THE BIG KICK * over again when he attempts to pass the cashler1 13 minutes (1930) $145 at I 8 fps; silent. Harry Langdon's 1929· 1930 series of two reel comedies for Hal Roach has a terrible reputation. Some of the films may THE NOON WHISTLE deserve It, but TIIE BIG KICK Is very, very good. Although there Is a story · - detective Edgar Kennedy, hot on the trail of (1923) $75 two bootleggers, eventually captures them In a shootout at the gas station where Hany works · - Langdon's elf character Foreman Ftn has his hands full of slackers at the fumlture spends most of the fllm In his own eccenlrtc world, factory, and who's his greatest problem? Stan, of course. A performing extended solo pantomime like a baby with an masterpiece of comic liming, 1l-lE NOON Wl-DSTI.E Is one of ,:xcepllonally long attention span! Langdon works off props Stan Laurel's early comedies for Hal Roach and ·• a watering can, an air compressor. a balloon, a row of demonstrates his rare ability to extract every possible laugh < ummles · - and sets his own pace. The comedy makes a from a slender story. With Jimmy Ftnlayson and Katherine clever use of sound e!Tects, and Harry has a few lines of Grant; silent with music added. 12 minutes. 1 0 _ __j ·-----··---•·•••••·,.--······---···---···--m···--•·•·--··•- . •••·---·--···---·------·"- SHOULD TALL MEN MARRY? * under the seal to recover the winning ticket she lore up. (1928) $145 Pal,iy·s big mouth gets them Into hot waler and the fracas conllnues as the roadways turn into Todd/Kelly The film's workJng Utle wa,:i COWDOYS CHY FOR ·1. and "If' pandemonium. For three years this s na ppy duo delighted ts very ably provided In the personage of allracllvc Mai tha audiences -- and they still will in this fine comedy short. 18 Sleeper. She ts rancher Jimmie F"tnlayson·s cutr daughter minutes who ts vied for hy Teddy Von Eltz (the worthy good guy) and Stuart Holmes (the bad guy). Although gcnn1cally a Hal * Roach All -Star short (meaning a casting n-posttory for DONE IN OIL actors who had been sf..anl or hopefully would be ' see also FRAUDS AND FRENZIES lhc next-lo last short of the famous Todd/Kelly series. TOP 1·1.AT ranks as one of their bcsl. The girls arc roommates. and Thelma ts irked because Patsy doesn't appreciate her modem poetry. Thelma stomps out declaring Patsy will ZaSu Pitts - Thelma Todd soon flnd her ltvmg tn a Park Avenue penthouse wnting best sellers Palsy ];iter secs Thelma arrive at a posh store in a lir11ous1r,c. She's only the maid to a wcallhy couple. but ON THE LOOSE Palsy assumes othcrwtse ;ind Thelma doesn'l deny il. Until (193 1) $145 the owners retum. Palsy and friends (Fuzzy Knight and Gr1ny Owen) clrlvr Thelm;i cr::tzy 1n rh1s g.n--:-i t rnnu·dy of TI1e flflh of sixteen sho1ts thl,i dehghlful "omnly team made ern>r"S . 18 n1inutc."\. together, ON 11-IB LOOSE ranks as one of lhdr funnies!. and ll1c concluding cameo by Laurel and Hardy ,,. thc- fro,ill ng on the cake. Snub Pollard Thelma and ZaSu arc two worktug gir1" lookin!( for a good time on the week-end. Unfortunaldy. every pair of men they meet Insist on laking them to Coney Island for a good FRESH PAINT time. Con <--y Island is fun now and then. but nol as of1en as (1920) $75 the girls have seen il. Their walls are li,wcl Wllh ridkulous prtzes. all the carnies know them and they can win any l(ame llal Roach's Rohn Company was the proving ground for his handily. Two Britishers take them out. pronm,111g that thi,i style of comedy. Haptd p.ice. sight gags. nonsensical will be a d a te that is different and exc1 tt1111 'Inc girl,i wear happenings concocted extemporaneously by director and elegant evening gowns. but al;i,i Con,·y bl.ind .igatn. cast. and any opportunity lo reveal a shapely leg, arm or Oeautiful and vl\'aciou s Thelma and th,· !(Dofy mo.ilhed back raptured early movie-goers and guaranteed the success ZaSu go through the park and the vanous amuS<"mcnls with of his one-reclcr.i. Snub Pollard s tars as Chief Tckgraph hilarious sarcasm and s lapstick. ·ihc next wcl'.k end they sit Boy in this 1920 short and pedals his bicycle through a al h ome relieved. tired and determined nc,·cr !11 /ID to Coney downtown Lo,i An&•clcs that is no more. During a delivery, he island again when who should knock 011 the door but two see,i an artist surrounded by beautiful ladies a nd decides to dumb lnnoccnls In dcrbtcs who have come· lo sho"'· the gjrls a Lrade his Western Union cap for an artis t's beret. Ills good Ume a l ... where else? Coney Island! 18 mtnutc:s. subject's jealous husband gives him a thorough shcllacktng, and Pollard finds Huie pleasure in his newfound paradise. (Silcnl wilh music: added) 11 n11nulcs. Thelma Todd - Patsy Kelly IT'S A GIFT BEAUTY AND THE BUS * (1923) $75 (1933) $145 In Inventor Snuh·s bedroom. s tring,i. lever.i and pulleys make everything aulomattc. from his foot-tickling alarm In the 1930s Hal Roach S tudios tried, with a jQ'<'at m,·,.,mrc of cloek lo hls breakfast-making mechanism. On the rare success. to create a female c-omedy duo ,.,th the impact of occasions Snub leaves his bed. It fo lds into the wall. Laurel and Hardy. 11tey cnli,ited as pcr,ionagcs heaulrful and revealing a flrcplace complete with fire. When oll magnates refined Thelma Todd and scatterbrained 7...a,iu l'ttls. The want Snub to demonstrate his "flrc-proof and absolutely contrast provided enjoyable c:hemistry as Thelma usually non-explosive" gasoline. he hops into his magnetic vehicle bailed the two out of predicaments of Zasu·s making. n 193:1 and hooks on behind unsuspecting motortsls. Along the way PILL'l left Roach S tudios. and her replac cment was ~punky he offers his waterproof shoe lo he lp save a drowning man, Palsy Kelly, who came from a successful Broadway stint. bu! alas it's one !nvcnlion he hasn't qu1le perfected. And his The first two-reel Todd/Kelly was llEAlll-Y AND 11 ;.; BUS ga,.,,Jine formula proves lo be Just a little too powerful. loo. with Charlie Hall. T1ny Sandford. Don Barclay and rommy A music score has been added to thts exccplionally willy Dond. The girls w1n a car al a mo~ie mnlc aflrr l'aL-.y crawl,i comedy from the silent yc.1rs. 12 minutes at 24 fps 1 1 Will Rogers A MOVIE STAR (1916) $145 BIG MOMENTS FROM LITTLE with Mack Swain, Louella Maxam, May Wells. Phyllis Allen, PICTURES (1924) $145 Harry McCoy It's the Idea of the century -- save time watching long feature '1t was Sennett's conviction that all comedy Is based on films by getting to the heart of the matter Immediately, with tragedy. Ftrst you must have dramatic, tragic story, then It Will Rogers as your rope-twlrltng, gum-chewing, on-stage must be transmuted Into comedy " guide through a lively collection of skits on the careers of -- Gene Fowler (1931) Valentino, FaJrbanks, and the Keystone Comedies In this '1n 1916 the Western film was In Its heyday and B!ll Hart the hilarious parody of moviedom, both In front of and behind hero of countlesa thousands. Since nothing was sacred to the cameras. Disposing of Valentino (In BLOOD AND SAND) Mack Sennett and his studio-full of Irreverent comedians. a and Doug Fairbanks (In ROBIN HOOD) with a few quick jabs skit on the Western film was hardly to be resisted ... Mack of his raplcr-ltkc wit, there's then a fast takeoff on the Fox Swain, who docs a delicious bit of work as the hero. was an wccple OVER 1HE HILL -- but Will Rogers has singled out eminent member of the Keystone comedians and afterward Roach's arch rival Mack Sennett for In-depth treatment, played with Chaplin In 7he Gold Rush and other films." rcsulllng In the best Imitation of the Keystone Cops ever put -- E11ccn Bowser I19681 on film. Rogers Is In costume as Ford Sterling, and diminutive Roach charactor actor Charlie Hall dcfily essays Produced at the peak or Tria.ngle's attempt to elevate movtes Charlie Chapltn, with everyone burlesquing the Sennett to the status of stage attractions. this very clever film Is at antics and camera tricks that had cstabltshcd the Keystone once a burlesque of the Ince-produced Broncho brand two Cops and Ben Turpin ct al. as screen comedy Institutions reelers of earlier years, of the nickelodeon !heaters which were quickly vanishing Into fllrr: history, or the parvenu BIG MOMEIIITS FROM LITTLE PICTIJRES received lavish movie actor who Invented past theatrical accomplishments. praise from cxhlbttoni as a real moneymaker. It Is as surely and of the film spectator who uses the screen as escape from today a "must sec" for film buffs, and anyone who enjoys his miserable dalllncss. But the self-referential complcxlty Valentino. Fairbanks, Sennett's stable of Keystone comics, of this film calls forth mcmones of Buster Keaton In or particularly America's pre-eminent humorist, the Sherlock. Jr.I 25 minutes; silent. comedy conscience of the nation, Will Rogers. Organ score by Gaylord Carter. 21 minutes. TEDDY AT THE THROTTLE (1916) $145 with Gloria Swanson, Wallace Beery, Bobby Vernon and From the Teddy the Keystone Dog dtrccted by Clar=cc Badger One of the great Sennett comedies or the period -- elaborately Mack Sennett Studio produced and with many or the situations that made Sennett famous. The heroine I& chaJncd 10 the railroad track and BARNEY OIDFIELD'S RACE FOR A rescued by her hero In the nkk of time. Chases In automobiles -- close calls with speeding trains! Excellent lD"E (1913) $100 prints from a nitrate original. 27 minutes with music Lrack Starring Mack Sennett and Mabel Normand at 18 fps. This fast-moving film's storyline has assumed legendary proportions In the annals of screen comedy. Spoofed countless times over the years, BARNEY OIDFIEU)'S RACE FOR A LIFE Is Mack Sennett's "original" burlesque on Roscoe Arbuckle Victorian high melodrama, featuring a lovely young girl (Mabel Normand) kidnapped and menaced by a truly dastardly vtllaln (Ford Sterling) who tics her to the railroad FATTY AND MABEL ADRIFT tracks before he's foiled by the girl's not-too-bright (1916) $210 boyfriend (Mack Sennett). The thrilling chase Involves a starring Fatty Arbuckle and Mabel Normand Santa Fe ten-wheeler No. 492 train and. of counic, Barney Oldfield, the world's "fastest man on wheels." Stretch Fatty, Mabel and Al St. John form an unlikely love lr1a.nglc printed for projection at 24 f.p.s .. with a rousing organ score In this wonderful comedy. one of Mack Scnnctrs best. Teddy by John Muri. 16 minutes. the dog. and characters I. Landem, :.he real estate salesman, and Brutus Bombastic with his gang of two contribute to the fun, which includes a classic Keystone chase. Restored with A CLEVER DUMMY original color tints and nickelodeon piano score for sound projection at 18 f.p.s. 37 minutes. (1917) $145 St.arrtng Ben Turpin with Juanlla Hansen, Wallace Beery and Chesler Conklin FATTY'S TIN-TYPE TANGLE Cross· eyed Ben Turpin, a recent acquisition from Vogue, (1915) $145 began his Sennett career by playing the lower budget An outstanding example of Roscoe Arbucklc's work as Keystones, not supervised by Sennett. Mack's studio writer, dlrcctor and star for Mack Sennett. this film Includes manager urged Sennett to watch a clever single reel a young Edgar Kennedy in a supporting role, generous views "Keyslone" featuring Turpin. Sennett was overwhelmed with of the studio environs, and a full-scale chase by lhe Keystone laughter and ordered additional shols made, brtngtog the Cops. Fatty goes to the park to escape his terrorizing comedy up to two-reel length. Thus In A CLEVER DUMMY, mother-In-law, Is photographed In an Innocent but complele W1th Turpin's hilarious Impersonation of an apparently compromising situation wtth Edgar's wife. and automaton, he came Into the big leagues. 26 minutes at 18 the rest Is non-stop action! The dcxtcrous Arbuckle flips fps; silent. pancakes behind his back and, In many other delicious bits of business, demonstrates the artistry that lnslructed and Inspired Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton, both of whom THE FATAL GLASS OF BEER Fatly trained. Blackhawk added a pipe organ score which we (1933) $145 don't recommend but we retain It for those who think any .. TaJnt a flt night out for man nor bcasl ..... W. C. Fields in a music Is better than none. Prints have all original Keystone send-up of Yukon melodramas. 18 minutes. titles and arc good quality. 33 minutes at 18 fps. 1 2 ·------·-··------·---·····-·- ·-···---·--···-----·-····---···---· THE KNOCKOUT (1914) $145 ~1ora and a group of her fncnds band togcUier to ::itage a raid, ll's the fight of the century -- Fatty (Roscoe Arhuckk) vs rent police unlfomi,1, and move In Whn1 the "policemen" Cyclone F1ynn (Edg,ir Kennedy). How did F:,tty gc,I Into this plac-c the poker-playing males on probation to their wives, it mess? Simple -- he's practiced punching Al St. John for so looks like the gals have won al last or have they? 17 long he can't lose. The money's on our local lx,y cvC'n though minutes at 18 fps: silent the odds and Referee Charlie are w1th Cyclone. While Fatty wins w1th the help of Mack Swain's six shooters, the two man bout becomes a classic Keystone chase, complete with those knockabout clowns of the r lnema, the Keystone Cops. FRAUDS AND FRENZIES This silent comedy Is excerpted In the c-urrtc11t Cinema (1918) $145 Paradiso and is a very presentable print copied from a :1Smm fine grain master. 30 minutes at 18 fps: s1lcn1 staning Lany SCmon w11h Stan Laure-I Made al the h<"1ght of I~•")· Scrnon's .-arccr a,i a t·omcdy star "MISS" F ATTY1S SEASIDE and producer for the pioneer Vitagraph comedy, FRAUDS AND FRENZIES t,i particularly not.able because Stan Laurel LOVERS co·slars. The two play convicts trying lo evade work and plot (1915) $75 escape. When they do finally escape. they become lm·olved w1th a prdty l!irl 011ly to di,ic:ovcr she Is the warden's In "MJss·· FATT'Y'S SEASIDE LOVF:RS, the rotund hut daughtn1 All loo soon, they arc l>ac:k In pil ag.im. balletic Ho:teoc Arbuckle was cast a.~ the buxom daughter of the "moth ball magnate:· summering at The llrcak,•rs, a &,mon oft<"n said that ·a comedian 1s only as good as his fashionable resort hotel at the seaside Tius gave the agile gags" and encn though h,: quu.:kly became Jealous of Laurel Mr. Arbuckle the opportunity to do a most effctlive lcmale and ,ilopped workmg with him. Slan carried Scmon's lmpernonatlon -- and to bring off a c-ons1dernbly more rough frcnetie gag style 111!0 many of ht,, own early productions for and tumble result on the beach than could have been Roach. Although Semon produced. directed and starred In achieved wllh any of the: several Amazons then 1n the more thw1 one hundred comedy shorts, they arc rare today Keystone stock company. In addition to st·1rring In trls one This ,·hoice example was com crted by Blackhawk in 1972 reeler, Fatty was also Its dirrctor De sure lo wal ·h for from a fine nitrate original, :m pnnl quahly is cxcclknt. 26 Harold Lloyd as an extra! I 5 minutes at I H fps: silent minutes"! 18 fps: ,nlcnt. THE ROUNDERS (1914) THE PROFESSIONAL PATIENT $75 (1917) $75 Fatly Arbuckle. Charlie Chaplin. Charky Chase Mmta Durfee. Phyllis Allen, Al S t John ,itamng Mr. and Mrs Sidney Drew Charlie and neighbor Fatly anivc home tipsy and art ml'I by their lratc wives. S uch a loud fuss ensues across U1e hull that A Vttagraph produclion starring Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Drew Charlie's wife sends hlm to slop the mayhem, Soon and directed by Sidney Dn·w. this one·rcd situation comedy everyone Is Involved In the fracas, and while the wivc.'I swing l~ still enjoyable today tx,.-ausc of1ts c:ham1lr~ players. Lald at each other, the boys s lip away. Outstanding ensemble off his Job. Dn."W becomes a sh111 for a ··painless dent1.,11." His playing by Chaplin and Arbuckle; very good print quallly Job: to smile winningly and as,,urc nervous prospects that One of the most enjoyable Keystone... 13 nunutcs ar 18 ij)s; 'It didrd hurt at all." Mrs, Dn.-w. a lovely new patient ,..;th "a s11ent. very ~wcct tooth" c-atc:hcs his eye; they meet again at Mrs. Van Schuylight"s party where Drrw's former employ.-r lures See also The Chaplin Keystones. him back at an increased salary. In the happy epilogue. their first child loses a baby tooth but assun,s the Drews that ·11 dtdn l hull at all." Hckascd by Blackhawk for the first ------··-··-········ ...... -~-· time tn 16mm. 13 minutics al 18 fps: silent. From the Vitagraph Studio THE SHOW (1922) $145 A CURE FOR POKERITIS Lany Semon was rccogrnzcd as one of the greatest gagmcn and physical come,ltan.'I of all time. This zany movie shows 1912 1~75 why Larry plays a property man who bounces from one pratfall to the next backstc1gc at a vanety show. On st;1gc, a John Dunny's face and girth were the kt-y to hts success. At magician gels revenge on a skeptic by conjurtn~ R most,•r Vltagraph. from his flr.,t appearanc-e In 1910 until his that spits in the skeptic's eye While clearing his eye. a passing In 1915. he appeared In scores ofo11c and !No-reel woman sits down In front of hlm wec1rlng a chicken hat, comedies. And, almost always, Flora 1·111ch WdS ca:,il as his which the ::ikepuc promptly trks to k'll Larry, wildly shrewish wife. Yet. ft.-w of Bunny',; film,. exist ht'c·ausc of 'IW1nging 11 hruorn, cha:-ws the rooster who dnnk" surnc Vltagraph's policy. at that llmc. of dcslroymg the n In this appealing comedy, Bunny plays thr hu::ih,rnd ;1ddictcd Semon rivalled Kcatnn, Lloyd and Chaplin In popularity to playing poker al the club -- and ugually losing. He dwrng hi~ out>1tandlng Vilagraph work in the early twtnlic.-.. promises w1fc Flora that he'll give It up lwilh mental fingers Because relath·cly httk of this materi THE STOLEN JOOLS (1931) $145 A legendary, star-studded fund-raising film (for National Variety Artists relleJ) tn which Norma Shearer's stolen jewels become the object of a massive search by 28 top Hollywood stars of the period, tncludlng Wallace Beery, Joan Crawford, Irene Dunne. Gary Cooper. Maurice Chevalier, Buster Keaton. Laurel & Hardy, and Edward G. Robinson. Production was financed by Chesterfield cigarettes but their commercial has been removed from this edition. 20 minutes. Beginnings 1893-1903 -- WESTERN TRAINS OF 1902--ATRIP TO THE MOON $100 LONGAGO (compiled In 1958) $75 Georges Mellcs most famous production Is offered here in a good print which Is stretch-printed for smooth projection at This comptlation of railroad views taken between 1893 and 24 fps, with a piano track edited from recordings of 19th 1903 was made In 1958 when Blackhawk rephotographed century piano rolls. As Is apparently the case wtth all evidentlary paper postllves from the Library of Congress. surviving prtnts, the ftnaJ tableau t,1 ml-Jsing but the ext.sling The results arc remarkably good considering the age of the end brin,g9 thlngs to a graceful conc,uston. 13 mlnutes. material. You'll see the Northern Paclllc Overland Express at Helena, Montana, 1900; the Union Pacific Overland Limited, 1902; Santa Fe California Limited. 1898; Southern 1903 ·· THE GREAT TRAIN Pacific Overland Mall, 1893: Southern Pacific Sunset Limited, 1898; and exceptionally good coverage of lhe ROBBERY $85 Georgetown Loop on the Colorado Central Railroad, 1903. The 1893 shot Is reproduced from a copyright print of 1897 Edwin S. Porter's nickelodeon milestone ls offered here In a but the Southern Pacific has established the earlier date for print of beautiful quality. copied in color from a hand photography, making thts scene one of the oldest survMng painted nitrate original. (Approximately one-third of the motion pictures. (No Estar prints avatlable due lo special film was so colored). The excellen, theater organ track by laboratory requirements.) 13 minutes at 18 fps. Gaylord Carter Is recorded for projection at 18 fps. 14 mtnutcs. 1896 --LUMIERE'S FIRST PICTURE SHOW 1903-1904 --MELIES TALES OF (compiled in 1974) $100 TERROR $75 Actual views of the Lumicre appa ratus precede this 1903 and 1904 were peak years for film fantasist Georges compilation of films photographed tn France by Louis Mellcs, and in 1959, Blackhawk restored much of his work Lumlere. Including both famtl!ar and rare subjects. all In from this period by rephotographing the cvtdentiary paper excellent pr1nls. A piano score ls recorded for sound positives which Mellcs had deposited for copyright In the projection at silent speed of 18 fps. 18 minutes. Llbnuy of Congress. On thl9 reel: TIIE MELOMANIAC, made with sevenfold muhlple exposure, turns a series of disembodied heads Into notes of"GoJ Save the King" which, 1896-1907 --AN EDISON ALBUM $75 after the tune, tum Into doves and lb away: 1HE MONSIER, ln which a dervish transforms the skeleton of a deceased This outstanding collection contains prtz.e examples of princess Into a wildly dancing spec, re. then to a beautiful Edison's early production activity, Including: TiiE KISS woman, only to tum her to a skeleton again In the arms of (1896) wtlh May hwin and John C. Rice; 11iE OLD MAJD IN her beloved husband: and THE TERRIBLE TURKISH ·nIB DRAWING ROOM (1900) wtth Gilbert Sarony; SffiEET EXECUTIONER, a ·grtsly ltttle farce" In which four CAR CHIVALRY (1901), one of the first examples of screen prisoners, decapitated on camera. reconstitute themselves narrative; ROMANCE OF TIIE RAILS (1902). Edwtn S. and take revenge upon the headsman. Melles' catalogue Porter's film made for lhe Delaware. Lackawanna and assures us that "there Is nothtng gruesome about this scene. Western Railroad -- the llrst advertising motion picture: temble as It may seem. It Is simply ludicrous throughout." RESCUED FROM AN EAGLE'S NEST ( 1907) featuring D. W. (Due to special printing requirements, only acetate copies Griffith ln excerpts from the film that launched him. 11 arc available: no Estar prints can be supplied.) Silent. 11 mlnutes at 18 f.p.s. mlnutcs at 18 f.p.s. 1 4 ----·------·------ ..--- ··-·--·-···...... ···-- ·-----·----- Nickelodeon Era REMEMBER, THERE ARE LADIES PRESENT $65 11,ts silent color film consisls entirely of hand-painted PARIS-N~W-YORK nickelodeon slides presented In slide show fashion. 'lnrec do;aen beautifully designed messages arc organized so the reel CINEMA MAGIC OF GEORGES lx-gtns wtth "wc-lromt- "" and ends with ··good nigh ti" The fllm may be used In Its enttret;y , but as the screen goes black for a MELIES frame or two between each slide, the images may also be cut (compiled In 1978, color) $2£15 apart and used as desired to punctuate a show. First time released m l Gmml 4 minutes. French film-maker Georges Mchcs was one of film ,i greatest pioneers. This documentary by Patrick Montgomery uses first-person narration Lo trace Me1tcs· car•·er as c-on1urer and film producer. director. and deslgru-r from the late 19th century through his period of world fame to old-age Biograph Films obscurity The rare film cxcerpl9 arc of cxnlknt quahty; by arrangcmc-nl with the Mdlcs fomtlv. the film also utilizes Directed bu D. W. Gri[fith personal photographs, mcxlcls. dra"'1ngs. aud other seldom seen evidence of Melics· versallhty and tmagmalton The '&Jwu11 1908 anti 1913, tliruttrr 'D. W. (jriffitlr. liamrruntf ow mud, of film conclude~i with a lengthy excerpt frorn a beauliful. wluu wi~"' c.orru to ,all tliL art offiim in nuu(y five 1w nantf ou "'14 hand-colored copy of ·111E IMPOssmu: VOYAGE 28 tWo-ru( comufits, dram. An ext rcmcly intercslfng film hid<'s bchiud this GULCH (1913! $145 unpromising litlcl It is a compilation of Teaser,,"' -· nsquc or cmbarassing -;1·cnes which were carried over to \'audcville One of D. W Griffith"s final films for the pi Dlrettcd by D. W. Griffith for the Biograph Company during April. 1913, DEA1HS MARKIHON, based on an original 1905 -· PARIS TO MONTE CARLO story by W. C. Wing. was shot by G. W. ""Billy"' Bit.z.cr and (NEW EDITION) $85 released on June 14. 1913. Working together in the final months of Griffith's Olograph career. the cast Includes llcnry Walthall. Blanche Sweet. Lionel Barrymore, Walter Created by Gc 1 5 ~~~ @IF ~W ©~ The Nickelodeon Era THE MUSKETEERS OF PIG "What A Pure Woman's Love Can Do." 1s a stu,n melodrama ALLEY (1912) $85 In which Mike, a gang leader played by Wilfred Lucas, Is about to rob a bill collector when he discovers that the A social drama of the slums of New York, with rivalry collector Is the father of a glrl (played by Blanche Sweet) to between street gangs over a girl (Lillian Gish). masterfully whom his Is greatly attracted. But there Is much cross directed by D. W. Griffith and photographed with striking cutting and general CllC!tcmcnt. and It ts the way In which compositions of documentary-like appearance. With Walter Griffith achieved this, rather than the plot. which makes Miller, Elmer Booth, Harry Carey, Robert Harron. Lionel thts film one of the clearest and most tnformattve texts on Banymorc and Jack Pickford. "In this film, the supposed principles of editing. We think anyone Interested In mm primacy of narrative and editing ts displaced by an history or techniques will wish to show and study thts film increased concern for Issues of fllmlc space, as much within many times. both for what can be learned about Grtfflth and the Individual shot as between shots.· (Cinema Joumal. for what can be applied to modem problems of editing and Spring 1989) 18 minutes with added music at 18 fps. directing mavlcs. The prints arc beautiful quality. 31 minutes at 18 fps; silent. THE NEW YORK HAT See also HOJIE SWEET HOME. INTOLERANCE and (1912) JUDITH OF .BETHULlA. Other Bfographs may be $75 special ordered: please (nqufre. Mary Pickford portrays a small-town girl who receives a new hat as a gift. starting furious gossip and puritanical reprisal among the churchly population. Notable for Its outstanding cast (Lionel Barrymore, Lillian and Dorothy Films from Pathe Freres Gish, Charles Mailes, Jack Pickford. Robert Harron and Mac Marsh) and for Its script by sixteen-year-old Anita Loos. the film Is also a successful Griffith experiment In the THE ENCHANTED STUDIO $165 highly-charged use of props (the hat, a mlrror) and haa reverberations In his later work Including BROKEN A compilation of short flhns from Pathe Frcrcs, the world's BLOSSOMS and WAY DOWN EAST. 16 minutes at 18 fps: largest film producer In the early years of th Is century. This s!lent. collection from 1907-1908 was selected and annotated by film historian Anthony Slide and Is entirely reproduced from original 35mm nitrate prints. The group Includes TI-IE THOSE AWFUL HATS POLICEMAN'S LITILE RUN, a Parts "chase" film; TI-IE DOG (1909) $25 AND HIS VARIOUS MERITS which shows man's best friend at work; A DIABOLICAL ITCHING which Is a slluatlon comedy beginning with !lchtng powder and ending In In 1909, when thJs fllm was made. ladles wore enormous hata decorated with fruit, Oowcrs, and peacock feathers ·· absurdity; and RED SPECTRE. a br!lllantly hand-colored formidable obstructions for nickelodeon patrons. 11-IOSE trick film by Ferdinand Zecca which at once displays naive charm and confoundtng aophlsllcation. Part color with a AWFUL HATS, probably D. W. Griffith's shorlcst film. was made as a humorous substitute for the usual slide asking musical soundtrack Intended for reproduction at 18 f.p.s. 32 minutes. ladles to doff their hats. It also offers Blograph's own solution to the problem: a large long descends from the ce!llng to grab and cany aloft the most grotesque hat. The mm ts still a delightful curtain-raiser and Is especially MORE FROM THE ENCHANTED Interesting for its nickelodeon set and Its trick photography (a movie plays within the movie; the two Images were STUDIO $165 photographed separately, and the final effect was achieved by double-printing each positive, using a traveling matte). A second and equally engaging collection of shorts from Appearing In the film arc Mack Sennett, F1ora Finch, Unda Pathe Frcrcs, durtng the years they were the largest and most Arvidson (Mrs. D. W. Griffith). John Compson, Florence advanced film producer In the world. There arc four short Lawrence, Arthur Johnson, and Robert Barron. The comedies: 'Jhe Yawner, Poor Coat. Wiflles Wins a Beauty nickelodeon piano on the sound track Is recorded for Prize, and I Fetch the Bread. The last named Is one of our projection at silent speed. 3 minutes. favorite of all "primitive" films. when two men sent by thelr wives to the bakers grow progressively drunker, and funnier, on their way home. The compilation climaxes with Down in the Deep. a brilliantly hand-colored trick mm fantasy by THE TRANSFORMATION OF Ferdinand Zecca and an outstanding example of this genre at MIKE (1912) $145 which Pathc excelled. Pan color, 27 minutes with music track at 18 f'ps. A SPECIAL DEMONSTRATION OF D. W. GRIFFITH'S EDITING TECHNIQUE with Blanche Sweet and Wilfred Lucas A MAX LINDER DUO (1908-10) $75 Between July of 1908 when D. W. Griffith directed his first film, The Aduentwes of Dollie, and December 1911 when he Max Under was known as "the man of a mllllon laughs," and made number 353, TIIE IBANSFORMATION OF MIKE, he millions and mtlllons of people around the world flocked to learned not merely to reproduce a story. but to tell one using his pantomime film satires. Wherever In the world he went. the medium of film. Griffith pioneered In the development he was mobbed. In Berlin In 1910, the Katscr came to see his of screen content, ftlm acting, and pictorial effects; but the stage show and then came backstage to pay him basis of film editing was perhaps the most significant compliments. In 1913, In Russia, the Czar received him at discovery he made In his work at Biograph. This mm court. Little plaster statues of the comedian were sold provides an extraordinary demonstration of GrilT!th's throughout Europe. His work was an Immense and spcctflc realization that the shot, rather than the scene, was the Inspiration to Chaplin. These two short films, MAX basis of film narrative. CELIBATAIRE (-rroubles of a Grasswldower") and LOVE AND CHEESE. arc not only outstanding comedies, but also Our release first shows the 114 un-cdlted shots. grouped as arc very good prints, carefully converted from flrst photographed: followed by the same material assembled gcncrallon 35mm and 28mm positives. 14 minutes at 18 fps, according lo Grtfflth's Instructions. The story, subtitled silent. 1 6 From Thomas H. Ince Studio BUFFALO BILL'S wn,n WEST SHOW $145 IN THE TENNESSEE HILLS (1915) $1 45 The first portion of lhts fllm Is devoted lo the s howing of Wlld West Show parades. the flrst photographed by Edison cameramen tn 1898, the second by a Biograph cameraman This Impressive Thomas H. Ince melodrama lllar.i Ch&Iles In 1902. Followtng this and Aimed In 1905 ts the action for Ray as a son whose ailing mother Is evicted from her home which the Wlld West Show was famous -- Indians. scouts . by miserly John Calhoun whlle he's out trying to borrow cavalrymen, fast r1dtng and re-enactments of typical rent money from the neighbors. He returns to flnd her dead frontier events. 22 minutes at I 8 fps; silent. and swe&Is vengeance on the landlord. An attempted ambush faJls, but ends In a struggle which kJlls Calhoun and triggers a manhunt by Calhoun's men for Jim (Ray). "ney TIIE ALO find the young mountaineer and arrange a hanging by lhe LIFE OF BUFF BllL setting sun. A race ag.-lnst time Is aided by a quirk of nature (1912) $145 tn this unusual story of mountaJn jusllce. 28 minutes a l 18 fps. Here is an authenUc early Alm of the West In fronlfer days Aimed by the Buffalo Bill and Pawnee Dill Film Co. -- and featuring Colonel William F. Cody, himself. In lhe prologue A TOUR OF THE THOMAS H. and epilogue! Produced In 1912. this also represen ts a vt.-ry early example of an "Independent" producUon, and one of INCE STUDIOS. 1920-22 $145 the first serious Amer1can film allemp!s at a biograph1cal Alm It is of further lmporta1lcc because the principal of the Thomas H. Ince built the studio shown In this Alm In 1919; biography himself appears In lhe Alm. The subject recounts he produced there until hts death In 1924 Sub..cquently ll three episodes In Buffalo Bill's recollecUons of his was home to Cecil D. DcMllle (for KING OF KINGS), Dav1d 0. experiences on the frontier: The Santa Fe Trail; his duel Selznick (for GONE wm I TI-lE WlND, REBECCA and others). with the Indian warrior, Yellow I land; and as a scout for RKO (for CITIZEN KANE); and It Is s tlll In UIJC today, with Custer . ll fs a genuine collectors· lteml 28 minutes at 18 fps; E.T. and RAGING DULL among relatively recent productions silent. on this venerable lot. This Is an amazingly detailed record of early silent producllon on lnce·s glass st.ages and around the s tudio lot a nd s treelll of Culver City. lndudlng not only glimpses of pictures In production but also scenes In the laboratory, editing and projection rooms The Rlackhawk Silent Feature Films negative was made from an or1glnal nllratr pr1nt and qualtty Is excellent. 31 minutes at 18 f.p.s. 1913 ·· JUDITH OF BETHULIA $275 From Ambrosio Fi.lm, Turin, Italy D•n,ucd by D. W. G1iffill,; wlLh Dlanchc Swee1. licnry B. Walthall. Mac Marsh, Robert llarron and Lflllan Gish. NERO. OR THE BURNING OF JUDITII OF BETIIULIA was Grlffith·s first feature-length pro This famous film. one of cinema's first features and a $375 phenomenally successful one, exploits the then For the first lime. Mary Pickford, "America 's Sweetheart," controversial Issue of White Slavery by showing how natvc played a child for the entire length of a feature film. The girls were shanghaied Into prostttutfon and how the profits action takes place around the eleventh birthday of a little of the vice traffic were divided among members of the rtng, girl who Is so sheltered from the world by her over-protective their go-betweens, and the "man higher up." Written and parents that she ts unfamiliar with conversational speech. directed by George Loanc Tucker, the film displays a high "... The casual metaphors she overhears become level of ctncmattc know-how for Its Umc, and Is of course a frighteningly real In a dream sequence. She has heard the fascinating social document. For many years It was one of butler called a silly ass and tr.c govcmcss a snake In the the most sought-after "lost" films In the world: Blackhawk grass, the nurse described as two-faced, the footman as located an amazingly good nitrate print In 1972. and the havtng sharp cars, her mother as having a bee In her bonnet, present prtnts arc taken directly from this first copy her father's Wall Street associates as bulls and bears, and negattvc. 81 minutes at 18 fps; silent. her parents cr1tl~d for burning the candle at both ends. In her dream a plumber and an organ-grtndcr, her only contacts w1th the out.side world, become her protectors against these fantasized danger,." (Booton Herndon, Mary 1914 --HOME SWEET HOME $300 Pickford and Douglas F'atrbar ks). Motton Picture News reviewed It as "the best yet, 'II.1th no exceptions, buts or After D. W. Griffith left Biograph but before he made The howevcrs ... from first to last It ts excellent." Written by Birth of A Natton. he produced several extremely intercsUng Frances Marlon, POOR LITTLE RICH GIRL was superbly features for the Mutual Company. This one has three directed by the celebrated Ma urice Toumcur. Of his episodes and a llnklng story (although the episodes run contribution, one critic wrote that "the camera, not Miss sequcnUally and arc not tntcrcut). The outstanding episode Pickford, should have been the star." Our prints have a Is "Apple Pie Mary" with Mac Marsh and Robert Harron: the theater organ score by the great Gaylord Carter. 67 minutes. linking story depicts moments In the life of John Howard Payne, author of the song. Prints have all original titles and an added piano score at 24 fps by Hank Troy. 49 minutes. 1917 --WILD AND WOOLLY $285 with Douglas Falroanks WIID AND WOOLLY ts one of those rare and delightful films 1915--THE GIRL OF THE GOLDEN which has lost none of Its wit, oouncc or style. despite the WEST $325 fact that It Is more than seventy) cars old. Indeed. If we had D1rccted by Cecil 8. DeMlllc to choose just one Fairbanks film that not only typllles the star's own ebullient character but also can be shown without First a stage play by David Belasco, then an opera by a word of explanation to a 1990 audience, WILD AND Giacomo Puccini, TI-IE GIRL OF TI IE GOLDEN WEST became WOOLLY would undoubtedly be our choice. Silent. 66 minutes at 18 f.p.s . one of Cecil D. DeMtllc's first feature films, shot In eight days at the end of 1914. Mabel Van Buren plays a game of cards with ShcrHT Theodore Roberts. the stakes being freedom for her bandit love Ramcrrcz (House Peters). "(DeMille) has been 1920 -- THE TOLL GATE $325 liberal In hts use of glorious California locations and &cc In the development of the story, looking at It from the Starring Wtlllam S . Hart with Anna g . Nilsson viewpoint of a maker of photoplays determined to utUtze the Hart has the role of Black Deering, a s lashing, hard-rldlng best posslbtlltles ofhts medium ... Audiences. no matter how bandit chief. Betrayed by one of h13 men. Deering ts captured many Umes they have seen the drama on the stage. will find by U.S. Troopers but he manages to escape with the Sheriffs tn the film version novelty and dramatic force. nm GIRL posse hot on his trail. He comes upon the cabin of Mary OF TI-IE GOWEN WEST Is as fresh as though It were wrlllen Brown and learns that she Is the deserted wtfe of the man yesterday." (New York Dramatic Mirror, January 13, 1915) who gave him up to the law. nflucnced by her noble Our cd!Uon of this great rarity was converted directly from a character. Deering surrenders to the sheriff. He Is, however, 35mm ortglnal nitrate print. 63 mtn. at 18 fps: silent. eventually given his freedom provtJed he stays south of the Mexican border. nm TOU. GATE Is considered by many to be one of Hart's best films. These prints arc complete and were copied from 35mm nitrate. 63 min utes. silent at 24 fps. 1916 --INTOLERANCE $725 D. W. Griffith weaves four parallel stories from separate historical epochs Into a giant chase through the ages: 1922 --FOOLISH WIVES $525 perhaps the most Important American fllm of the silent era. A RECONSTRUCTION OF Tl-IE O RIGINAL FILM DY AND This version Is unique, being an early edtllon and not the wm I ERICH VON SIROHEIM reissue version which Is usually seen. An Impressive score by Gaylord Carter at 24 fps greatly enhances the Impact. 138 After a few years ofbetng an assistant to D. W. Griffith and a minutes. portrayer of cruel Huns. Erich von Strohclm talked UntvcrsaJ·s Carl Lacmmle lnto letting hlm direct and act ln his own lllm, B11nd Husbands (1919). His second fllm. The Deud's Passkey, was also successful. and Strohetm was given 1917--TILLIE WAKES UP $250 a blank check for his first really btg effort. FOOLlSII WIVES. starring Marte Dressler Strohclm wanted to depict the confused mclleu of post-war Mack Sennett brought Marte Dressler, already a famous Europe In a realistic fashion. tracing all through the actions stage personality. to the screen In 1914 to co-star with of a bogus Russian count and his seductive, corrupt ways. Charlie Chaplin In TtUte's Punctured Romance. TILLIE The plot concerns this emtgre adventurer and two of his WAKES UP, produced by Peerless-World Pictures and mistresses who pose as his cousins, ·casing a villa on the sea released In January 19 I 7 , was an altogether successful near Monte Carlo. When a special American envoy follow-up and began a virtual 'TIiiie" series starting Miss accompanied by his young wife comes to confer with the Dressler. but filmed by a variety of different companies. A Prince of Monaco, the Imposters meet and cultivate them. youthful Johnny Hines co-stars. Silent. 53 minutes a t 18 The "count" very nearly seduces Mrs. lughes but later. as his f.p.s. 1 8 .. -·-·-----··········-····-···· ..····························---····· .. ·-··------····-··-·· ------... - ... -...... ____ _ escapades begin lo unravel. he preparr,i to nn: First. howc:ver. he pays a last visit lo his counlufettt·r. Vn,tuc-C'I. 1923 -- THE EXTRA GIRL $375 where he violates Ventuccfs fceble·mlnded daughter She is his last victim. for Venlucc:I kill,i him and deposits ht,i body In a sewer. 1he I lughescs arc rcconc-ilc-d. Starting Mabel Normand Slroheim was understandably wonied about being n·moved ·1ne greatest comic actress of the sllcnt screen. Mabel Normand enjoyed an extraordinary career at Keystone and from this unu,iual venture In mld·procluc-tion, ~ he made Goldwyn and Is often referred to as the female Chaplin. himself the star and shot all his key scenes first. leaving his Nowhere are her talents seen to better advantage than In backers no choice except to continue with him through lo the end or lo begin all over again at prohibitive expense Dul TI-IE EXTRA GIRL In ll. she leads an Africa,, lion around on Laemmle liked S trohetm and backed the ventun· to the a leash thinking it's a grc-at danc: ·• she filled theaters "'1th amount of SI , 103.736.38. Although FOOL!SI! WIVE,S lost laughter In 1923 with this scene. and the talented money, its artistic success established Universal as a major comedienne will do the same al your screenings of this studio. dasstc sllent comedy. See Mack Sennett serllon for other Mabel Normand films, including FATIY AND MATIEL When the average feature of th,· llrut'. la,itcd about 75 ADRll•T and MAnF.1.·s MARRIED LIFE. 72 mmulcs at 24 fps.; ,uknt. minutes. FOOL!S I! WIVES ran about thrr., and a hall hour.< al iL~ New York premiere in January. IH22 Even this wo" less than half Stroheim's original lnt.-nlion. and he complained tha t only the 'bones' of his story remained. 1924 -- THE MARRIAGE CIRCLE Again the scissors came out. a nd finally the film played theaters at ten reels. In 1928. the fllm was, rcl1tl,d and $475 further cul to ::icvcn reels for a contemplated n:i,isuc arnl only Oircc-trd by Ernst LublL'lCh lhiR mutilated version was available for many years pior to Blackhawk'::i first release of this reconstruction ln 1975. Emst Lubllsch's most popular s ilent film. with Adolphe Menjou. Florence Vidor and Monie Dlue. brought to cinema Working from two original 35mm prints. each of which had ""sophtsUcation, nonchalance, and a new kind of elegance been shortened In different places. Profeg,-or Arthur l..cnntg and wit." (Arthur Knight). "... Portraying the prnmlscully In was able to "fill out" many sequences Later, Dlackhawk high society between other men's wives and other wives' remade the 1922 titles in facstnule. Because all the original husbands. all engaging freely In the Interplay. (TIIE material had been severely trimmed, It was Im poss blc to MARRIAG E CIRCLE) became a model for other movie reconstruct as smooth a plc-tm1al flow as Str:ihe lm makers and even for the national way of living," (Lewis intended. and the print quallly I" nol uniformly good. Jacobs. 71,e RL~e of 1l1t• Am,>rican Ftlm). Our ed ition was however. Blackhawk·s release runs som,·whal longec than copied from an original print which was a hil rnggccly at the the original thcatncal version. and viewer'! arc 110w able to ends of some reels. but the image quality is q111tc good and ! 1 9 1928 --PANDORA'S BOX $550 Directed by G. W. Pabst Douglas Burden edited the ftlm with Richard Carver, and was extremely gratified when 11- The title refers to hunger. The film Is an Impeccable A special musical score was composed for the picture by reconstruction In story form of Oj!bway Indian life as It was Massard Kur Zhcne. Mr. Kur Zl-cne spent time among the before the white man came. Conceived and produced 1n full Ojibway collcctlng original melodies, and from the 150 awareness that the Indian and the wildcrnc9s were both separate song9 he wrote down. he drew the themes he used In rapidly van19hlng, It was made sixty years ago for the working up the music. Blacltl,awk's prtnls offer a new purpose of leaving a visual record for the America that was rccorcl1ng of the Kur Zhene score pcrfonncd by John Muri on to come of the America that used to be. theater organ. The beautiful melodics add Immeasurably to the film's e!Tect. 87 minute~. with music track and Douglas Burden, a young explorer, had been profoundly synchronous prologue. Impressed by the Menan C. Coopcr--Ernest Schoedsack ftlm Chang, and with his partner Wllliam Chanler, director H.P. Carver, and a team of Hollywood professionals, lndepcndently financed and produced the picture for release by Paramount. Remembering The Twenties The story line. which H. P. Carver's son Richard elaborated lnlo a scenario, was based on a study of The Jesuil Relaltons, DAREDEVIL DAYS a running record In 72 volumes of the travels of Jesuit (1952) missionaries In New France (1610-1791). "Not one episode $75 was Invented by us" declared Burden, "with the cxcepUon of the bear on the cliff." From the vast Palhc news library, Academy Award-w1nnlng producer Robert Youngson wrote and produced DAREDEVIL Chief Yellow Robe, who plays Chief Cheloga, was a DAYS as part of a remarkable series of one and two reel hereditary chief of the Sioux and a nephew of S1lllng Bull. shorts. This one documents the special craziness thal swept He also wrote and spoke the moving prologue that opens the lhc country with the end of WWI, Including daring stunts picture. The hunter Baluk was a htghly-clccoraled World War atop the Statue of Liberty; cyclists circling the dome of San veteran. Chief Buffalo Child Long Lance. a contemporary of Francisco's Palace of Fine Arts. human flies scaling tall Jim Thorpe at Carlisle. For the remainder of the cast, buildings or walking a steel girder 300 feet up. Strongmen Burden spent six weeks traveling by canoe along the shore of bend steel tn thetr teeth and slunlcrs perfonn mid-air plane Abltab1 Lake searching for photogenic and co-operative transfers -- blindfolded. along with lots of other stunts to Ojibway. make you gasp and laugh. 10 mlmJles. Conditions were rugged. The temperature frequently plummeted to 35 dcgrccs below. Many scenes were taken a I NEVER FORGET A FACE thousand mtles north of the railroad, In areas accessible (1956, Academy Award Nominee) $75 only by canoe In summer. or dog team In winter. Burden, suffering from amoebic dysentery picked up In Nicaragua In This Academy Award Nominee produced by Robert 1924, was confined lo h1s tepee for three weeks al a stretch. surv1v1ng on tomato juice. Youngson features famous faces. Calvin Coolidge is made an honorary Sioux chief: John D. Rockefeller clowns with his family: Presidents Hardlng and Ta ft get In a few golf sw11lg9: One point that 1s almost certain lo arouse curiosity Involved George Bernard Shaw trades quips with reporters In M1am1. the amazing animal pictures. There Is no fakcry. The Also seen Is lhe legendary Scopes "Monkey Trial" with wolves. for example, arc nol Malamutes or wolf dogs -- they dcfcn'!C lawyer Clarence Darrow battling prosecutor William arc real, honest-lo-God wolves. The animal sequences were Jennings Oryan. 10 minute.OJ. obtained by dint of endless patience. plus a great deal of Ingenuity. The ftghl between the mountain lion and the bear Is a scene SPILLS AND CHILLS which causes a great deal of comment, even today. Burden (1948, Academy Award Nominee) $75 was not present when Louis Bonn shot the sequence. Bul he remembers the principle. 'They found that the bear was I lair-raising stunt scenes like the~ make the twenties roar, always the attacker. Herc was a dead deer, both the bear and and this Academy Awa.rd nominee produced by Robert the mountain lion were damn hungry. They let the Young.son captures the spirit o' these crazy daredevils mountain Hon gel al the deer first, then they released the through actual newsreel footage You'll thrill to mid-air bear from another enclosure. lie went at the mountain 11on, wing walkers, aerial barnstormers, plane-to-car and planc and a fight broke out. The mountain lion escaped up a tree, to-plane transfers ... lunallcs hanging on to planes by their and the bear was so mad he went right up the tree after him, hands, feel and teeth: human files. human cannonballs. and and out on a limb. They fell off the limb and continued much more. Planes. cars and skyscrapers arc the props; the fighting together on the ground. That was how the scene spllls and chllls speed by at an Incredible pace. A brilliant, worked out." na11-bltlng collection of breathtaking displays. 10 minutes. 20 ------·-·---·--·------·--····-·---~----··-···-·····------The Coming of Sound 1930 -- YAMECRAW $75 1923 ·- SNAPPY TUNES $65 James P. Johnson, brilliant pianist and composer, Is best remembered for such tunes ru1 "Charleston," "Old Fashioned Noble Sissie and Eubte Blake. the great entrrtalners who Love, and "Running Wild;" however, he also composed One (among many olher accompltshment8l wrote SIIIJFFLE concert pieces on themes taken from Amct1can Negro music. ALONG, the first all-Black Broadway slww, uppeared two Yanll'.crnw, one of the first of these, began as a piano work in years after that notable achtcvemcnt In this experirnenlal 1927· John9on orchestrated tl lhc following year, and sound film produced by Inventor Lee De Forc"t to show off adapted It lo thl9 moVic Ill which he Jotns lhe resl of lhc all his ""Phonofllm'" system of optical sound rrprocluction Wllh Black ca... t In a supporting part. The visual style Is a mix of Blake al the piano, Sissie sings ""Affe, llon,,tc Sam" and Caltgan and Polemkin with Jagged silhouette sets and rapid other light-hearted tunes by the pair. ·1ne De Forest ' Tour abandoned srknt studios of early Jlollywood In this 1927 -- SIR ARTHUR CONAN ane reeler produced U1rec years after the coming of sound. lhe Mack Sennct:, Paramount Wilshire, Vltagraph and DOYLE ~s.5 Metro lots arc among tho>ic shown In fascinating decay; then. the film moves on to cheerful views of Hollywood Although sm AH"tl !Ull "ONAN uor1.1-: coru.t~l,; of scarcely Boulevard by day and night. with "Arrowsmith" among the more than half a "'I've got to say one or lwo words Just to try my ,ou:c, I understand," Doyle lxgln.... 1hcn he rclatc:-i how. tn 1886, he came lo write the Sherlock llolmes ,;torics, ind !or five m inutes he gives a rich and humorous 1,t,.tory of his scientific dctccltve In a warm Scotch burr But ,:wn d,,arcr lo Doyle than Holmes was his belief In the aftcrllfr. and In the Anhnation last half of the film the famous author duKu~"'"" the ·,sychlc faith for whtch he endured much hosttlllv and to whkh he was so deeply committed 12 minutes. Silent Animation 1928 -- COAST TO COAST IN 48 PUSS 'N BOOTS HOURS Sl45 (1923. witl1 added music score) $75 Walt Disney settled In Kansas City In 1919, worked as a An early sound a Like a Busby Berkeley musical, this sprightly melodrama kicks Its egg legs high while singing "Spooning In A Spoon." FUNNY FACE Humpty, son or llumpty, Is constantly scolded by mom lo (1933) $65 quit playing around with heights or he'll end up llkc poor dad. The lad meets a pretty little egg. but Lhcre's a villain. l-11p the Frog plays half of this s},ow under a different face. too. who steals the girl away. As I lumpty sLru!78lcs with Bad which wru, shortly turned Into lwerks' next character. WIIUc Egg. his sweetheart falls Into a pnn of bolling water. She's Whopper. This production ts lwcrks' own variation on the sllll pretty, but she's s little hard-bolled now and talks llkc Frog-Prince but, like the best comedies. Its message Is never Mae West. She disposes of the villain and drag9 Humpty at the expense or Its wit. F11p's ~lfr1end. animated by Grim away. Luckily. l lumply falls 111 the water, too. and the two Natwick. Is a dead ringer for Betty Boop. w1othcr of that become a knockout pair. lwerks strayed from the fable animator's creations. 8 minutes. again. but HUMP'IY Is so packed with fast, lntelllgcnt gags. choice cameo caricatures and catchy music that It Is hard to object. One of hlS best Comlcolon1 8 minutes. THE NEW CAR (1931) $65 JACK AND THE BEANSTALK (1933) $75 This Is one of the funniest of Fllp's vehicles, full of deh.rious comic transposition like the car's elaborate feminine come on In the auto yard, the "get set" signal that precedes the This English talc of Jack who foolishly swaps his mother's traffic llght's "go." and a Don Martin-style cop who punches cow for three beans, only to end up with a hen laying golden 1'1ip's Ucket as he delivers It. The climax Is a magnificent eggs, cleverly coincided with the wish of Depression-era animated tracking shot. Short-subject anlmallon was soon audiences to sec folly converted lo riches. It's one of lwerks' to forego such spectacle as ncc: dlcssly extra vagant 8 fastest-moving. most successful cartoons. 9 minutes. minute.'!. JACKFROST (1934) $75 OFFICE BOY (1932) $75 Full of Invention, high spirits. and dcllghtful surprises. this Is a gorgeously drawn. very acUvc cartoon, Jam packed with To describe thlS as a cartoon In which F11p the 1-'rog gets a job Ideas; probably lwerks' masterpiece. 9 minutes as a office boy. works one day, and Is fired Is like saying that Chaplin's One A.M. ts about a drunk going up to bed. The story ts that simple, but the film Is so gag-packed that the THE QUEEN OF HEARTS third or fourth vicwtng Is funnier than the first. (1934) $75 The lecherous old President of ,he Screwy Nut & Bolt Company harasses his virtuous but Irresistibly sexy typist The Charles Laughton-y King of I !carts craves tarts( His (who endures, among other sugges,Jve Indignities, a real cat Queen's heart-shaped cooks jump to the task. Forsooth--thc and mouse pursuit up one kg and down the other). Carl W. dunderheads In error mix soap powder In the dough! The Stalllng's score ts a charmer, and the throwaway gags are luscious-looking desserts get snatched by the lncon1gtblc surreal (example: pictures of screws and nuts adorn the wall, knave. Jack of Hearts. So a hilarious. non-stop scramble along with a large framed Image of the factory which seems starts. Directed by Ub lwerks and animated by Jimmie to occupy a whole block although there are only three office "Shamus" Culhane, one of the '30's and '40's most highly personnel, one of whom Is a frog. When the quitting whistle praised animators (regarded fondly for Inky and the Lion. a blows, hundreds of workers pour out of the picture). Working Leon Schlesinger 1941 "Looney Tunes1, QUEEN OF HEAR1S from the original 35mm sound ncgallve and two nitrate along with 1934's TilE BRAVE TIN SOLDIER Is the most picture clements, we've reconstituted the complete pre-code generous. fast-paced extravaganza among lwerks Clnecolor version of this spicy. clever Ub lwcrks cartoon. 7 minutes. "Fatrytales." Walt Disney's answer to his mullnec:ring 22 ------···--.. ·---·-··-··--····--·------·---·---.. ---·----- ROOM RUNNERS The Thirties (1932) $65 1933 -· THE PRIVATE LIFE OF Flip Is behind on the rent, and the schoolmarm al the desk of the Grand Slam llotcl, along with the cop on the beat, plan KING HENRY VIII $525 on making him pay Flip unsuccessfully lJics every method of escape , but he d0<,s meet some scantily clad car1oon Charles Laughton (Academy Award. Best Actor), Robert beauties tn the process. This Is an amazingly r1sque pre· Donat. Elsa Lanchestcr; directed by Alexander Korda. This code cartoon starring a hbidlnous Flip the Frog. 8 minutes. touching. bawdy and funny story of the much·marrled monarch was the first Brillih film to win lnlemallonal sucn::ss. 90 minutes. SPOOKS 1934 ·· OUR DAll,Y BREAD $470 (1932) $75 Producer-director King Vidor, famous for 11le Big Pamde and An outstanding Flip the Frog cartoon, this lime a gruc:some The Champ, risked his own fortune to make this Idealistic adventure that almost marks the end of hie career . On a social drama whteh presents collective fanns as a solution dark and stonny night. with lightning fiBllhing and gale to the Dep=lon. The final 15 minutes. In which water Is winds blowing. Flip and his h orse head for shelter In a brought to parched fields, Is one of cinema's classic ghostly mansion. Flip finds his host to b e a very lively. but sequences. The original negative was available for this menacing skeleton. who Insis ts on sharing his meal. A.s the edftton an Black History Music A NATURAL-BORN GAMBLER INSTRUMENTS OF THE (1916) $95 ORCHESTRA * (1947) $165 Dcrt Williams. who began with Lew Dockstadter s Minstrels In 1888 and by 1915 was headlining Lhe Ziegfeld Folltes. ts In thts cleverly conceived and brilliantly executed film. Dr. the star of this film. which ts one of the flrnl c:ver made with Malrolm Sargent, the famou s DrHtsh conductor, explains a Black man In the lead. Out Williams. who was 1 ght thut a symphony orchestra can be likened to a single great sktnned. nevertheless dons burnt cork for this comedy set musical Instrument with four parts •· the wood winds, brass. around gaming tables--an <:nvlronmcnt which affords the strings, and percussion, To Illustrate this, he leads the star opportunity 10 ..palm"' cards wilh hts toc-,i, play a [,ondon Symphony Orchestra In l3enJamtn Brttten·s pantomime game of poker. and othc-rwlse cli,iplay specially written music. 'Variations and a Fugue on a lbeme extraordinary moments from hts famous stage routines. by I tenry Purcell... First. Dr. Sargent .. lakes the orchestra lo The :Klund track contains a nickelodeon pta110 score and pieces.. and show how music is produced by each of twenty· Interesting background tnfonnatton about W1lltams. but the stx different Instruments. Then he .. puts the orchestra action moves very fast at 24 f.p.s so we prefer silent -,peed together again.. and conducts the lovely Fugue. AuthenUc projection with the sound off. Plctur<" quality on this prints from C.0.1. negative; restricted lo the United States. Biograph production is very good. 14 minutes at 24 f.p.s; 19 20 mtnute.s. mtn. at 18 f.p.s. MOODS OF THE SEA $85 SNAPPY TUNES A F!lm by Slavko Vokaptch and John Hoffman (1923) $fi5 Visualizing "Les I lebrtdes.. by Felix Mendelssohn Noble Si, A most unusua l grouping of four different musi ab v.1th four ·nus j'tl.m can be seen on two leuels··as an emotional, different black artists or groups of artists from nearly half a aesthetic experi£·nce; or as an excerctse In pure cechnique. century ago, The numbers were produc-ed dunng World War The effect on the viewer ts both sharp and resounding. II for showmg on .. Soundtcs.. movie Juke boxes In hotel Vorkapich was. of course, the master exponent of montage·· lobbies, railroad stations. Army and Navy recreation tll<' combtnaeion of souncl and imagery devised to centers, and other spots where service pn,ionncl ga1he reel. communicate in a language noc ye t fully explored nor The original negatlves were available as preprint. so .lictun· utilized and Vorkapich was ils prophet. lli.s contnbutwns and sound quality ore excellent JO minutes. haoe yet to be fully measured. but even as they hint ac the infinite possibilities t/<'I co be discovered. thetr impact wW be felt throughouc the history of contemporary cinema. .. YAMECRAW ··Wtlliam f'riedktn (1930) $75 James P. Johnson. brilliant pianist and c·omposcr. 1s be.st TOSCANINI CONDUCTS remembered for such tunes as 'Charleston.· "Old Fa,,h10ned Love ... and "Running Wild;" however. he also c·omposcd fine GIUSEPPE VERDI (1945) $195 concert pieces on !hemes taken from American Nq(ro music. Yamecraw. one of the first of LhCS<:. h<"gan as a piano work 1n Arturo Toscanini. the NBC Symphony. a nd tenor Jan Pccrce 1927; Johnson orchestrated it the followmg year. and perform Lhc overture to .. La For7..a del De.~tino.. and 7tymn of adapted 1t to this movie in which he JOln.~ :he rest of :he all the Nations .. by Verdi lo C'eiebrate the liberation of Italy. Black cast In a supporting part. The vls11;1I style is a mix of Produced by the OfTtce of War Information under Caliyart and Potemlan wilh Jagged silhou.-ttc s<"ls anJ rapid supervision of Alexander llammid. 28 minutes. cutUng. a self-conscious but completely engaging period piece. Prints arc excellent. 11 minute.s See also SNAPPY TUNES, YAMECRA w and TOOT THAT TRUMPET. 25 Personalities The Blackhawk Films library ... Is pl1marlly the accomplishment of Kent D. Eastin, who HORSEmDE HEROES started business In 1927 maldng film ads for merchants, (1953) filming local news events for theater newsreels, and selling $75 outdated, Independent theatrical 35mm fllm prtnts for toy Robert Youngson's trlbute to the Great National Pastime's projectors of the day from the basement of his parents· home biggest personalities, including Grover Cleveland Alexander, in Galesburg, llltnois. With the advent of 16mm sound fllm Mel Ott, Ty Cobb and Joltln' Joe DiMaggio. Also rare footage in 1934, Eastln moved his company to Davenport, Iowa and of Babe Ruth taken during his baseball and film career, and began a rental library which nounshed until It was Lou Gehrig's legendary farewell speech. 10 min. dlscontlnued under the Impact of television In 1957. Eastin selected Davenport as an efficient Junction for rail shipping and because tt was something of a "film town," as home to I NEVER FORGET A FACE the Victor Anlmatograph Corporation, a pioneer motion (1956, Academy Award Nominee) $75 picture equipment manufacturer. Martin D. Phelan. with background In direct mall This Academy Award Nominee features famous faces. and management. left Montgomery Ward to partner with Calvin Coolidge Is made an honorary Sioux chief; John D. Eastin in 1947, and assume re:Jponslbility for the business Rockefeller clowns with his family; Presidents Harding and side of the developing company. The Blackhawk name was Taft get In a few golf swings: George Bernard Shaw trades flrst used for an auxiliary business. liquidating stocks of quips with reporters In Miami. Also seen Is the legendary used 16mm pnnts from Bnllsh lnformatlon Services. MIiis Scopes "Monkey Trial" with defense lawyer Clarence Darrow Panoram Soundtes. and other llbral1cs and producers. battling prosecutor W1111am Jennings Bryan. 10 minutes. Blackhawk began publishing monthly catalogs In 1949. More than 2,500,000 used films were sold by mall before this SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE business W8.9 d!scontlnucd In 1981. (1927) $85 In 1952, Blackhawk tr.troduced Its own releases In both 8mm and 16mm. Included In this "Collectors Scnes" Although SIR ARTIIUR CONAN DOYLE consists of scarcely were Laurel & Hardy silents from Hal Roach Studios, more than half a dozen lengthy shots, this very early sound authonzed editions of Keystone comedies licensed by Olm Is an Intimate and deeply moving record of the man Sennett's ongtnal backer, Roy Altken: and a grouping of who created in Sherlock Holmes one of the most famous and railroad films. (Kent Eastin was an avid train enthusiast. He best loved of all literary characters. had a basement wall of bound Ull'etablcs and would ask us lo arrive at 7:28 for dtnner at 7:301) In time, Blackhawk grew to "I've got to say one or two words just to try my voice, l dominate the "home movie" fleld with a base of 125.000 understand," Doyle begins. Then he relates how, In 1886, he customers, up to eighteen new l't'lcases every month, an In· came lo write the Sherlock Holmes stones. and for flve house fllm restoration facility better than any then minutes he gives a nch and humorous history of his possessed by an archive. and m ore than ninety employees scientific detective In a warm Scotch burr. But even dearer to working In a picturesque century-old building of roughly Doyle than Holmes was his belief In the afterlife, and In the 30,000 square feel. Fox Movlelone News. Klll!am Shows. and last half of the Rim the famous author discusses the psychic National Telefllm Associates (now Republic Ptclures) joined faith for which he endured much host1ltty and to which he Ila! Roach as Important suppliers for film releases, and was so deeply commHtcd. 12 minutes. television production was added to the company's successful endeavors. The present owners of the Blackhawk Library, See also BUFFALO BllL'S WlLD WEST SHOW, THE David and Kimberly Shepard, were both employed by UFE OF BUFFALO BllL, SNAPPY TUNES. and Will Eastin-Phelan during these years. David began working Rogers in BIG MOMENTS FROM LJTTU; PICTURES. closely with Kent Eastin from The Amel1can Film lnslllute In the late 1960s to ensure pnmancnt preservation of Blackhawk's unique ongtnal .-!lms at the Library of Congress. He Joined the organtzat10n in 1973. becoming Vice Robert Youngson Shorts President for Product Development. Kimberly worked al from the Pathe News Library vanous limes In the Production. Customer Service and Accounting departments. In 1975, Kent Eastin and Marlin Phelan sold BLAZE BUSTERS Blackhawk to Lee Enterpnscs, Incorporated. a successful (1950, Academy Award nominee) $75 newspaper and broadcasting conglomerate. Blackhawk wrestled with the requirements and s tyle of new managers Ship fires, Including the Morro Castle and the lll-fatcd just al the lime video cassettes began to redellnc home Normandle arc among the amazing scenes In this entertainment. Basic decisions ,o emphasize mall order spectacular collcctlon. a tribute to flre fighters. JO minutes. sales rather than a unique p roduct line, and heavy Investments In the Beta and CED (mechanical video disc) THE WORLD OF KIDS formats proved very costly. Lee Enterprises sold the (1951) company to Its Blackhawk management team, who struggled $75 on until 1985 when Republtc Pictures bought It for direct Wtnner. Academy Award Dest Ltve·Action Short Subject marketing of Republic's homr video line. Republic In this Academy Award winner. children prove that size discontinued fllm sales and closed the Davenport facllily In doesn't matter when It comes to boxing. bowling, golfing and 1987. but continues successful marketing of videocassettes other major sports. Tough small frys compete in rodeo as 'The Blackhawk Catalog" from Commerce. CA. events. and a young sharp-shooter makes Daddy perspire as David and Kimberly Shepard acquired he holds the targets. In a half pint western. kids who can't Blackhawk's fllm equipment In 1986. As FIim Preservation reach the stirrups ndc tall In the saddle. The Soap Box Associates, they started a "boutique" business rcstonng old Derby shows speed-crazy toddlers as reckless as their adult motion pictures for archives and studios. In 1989. they counterparts, while babes on skis and diving boards sneer In purchased the Blackhawk FIims lllrary, which rejoined the the face of danger. A hidden camera captures the expressive equipment at Film Preservation Associates' building In the reactions of children watching a puppet show that delights. Sun Valley disll1cl of Los Angeles. This catalog represents charms. and ternfles them. 10 minutes. our commitment to projected fllm as the Ideal means of movie exhibition, and features new tltles and Improved See also DAREDEVlL DAYS, OADOETS GALORE, edlt1on9 as well as repnnts from the best Blackhawk HORSEHIDE HEROES, I NEVER FORGET A FACE, rr ncgatlves. Our fllm prtnt quality easily equals and often HAPPENED TO YOU, UGHTER THAN AIR, SPILLS AND surpasses the high standard set by the "old" Blackhawk, and CHILLS, THIS MECHANICAL ADE, THIS WAS YESTERDAY your film orders have our personal attention. whether placed directly or through one of our authonzed dealers. 26 ------·-··-·------·-·------Trains & Plane~ LOGGING RAILROADS OF THE THE GRAF ZEPPELIN $145 Lighter than rur, dirigibles were a spectacular form of WEST $145 transportalion from lhc early twenties unlil the lltndenburg llerc Is bcauUfully phoLographed and cxtern1tvc ,·overllj(e of disaster In the mid· 1930s. The most successful rigid ain!hip steam power on three of the Important logging railroads of ever bu tit wa.9 the hydrogen-flllcd LZ· 12 7, the Graf Zeppelin, lhe West -- Southwe!lt Lumber Mills out of FIBAslafT, Image!! of the majestic ~raft are preserved in these news Arizona: both the Clallam and Gray!! llurhor operations of tttms, Including shots of the lnlcrior and vlews in flight, Rayonier on the Olympic Peninsula in w ... htn~ton Slate; docking ancl taking off -- over the Soviet Union, the Arctic, and the Wi-.st Side Lumber Company out of Tuolumne. the AtlanUe, ,Japan and the United States. I 6 mtnutc.'4. California. You'll see narrow gauge and ,itandard guuge steam power·- Shay and f lemlcr geared ,.tr,am lo< amottvcs Mallets -- saddle tank Jobst Sharp curvc-.s hl!!h trc.'lUes -· LIGHTER THAN AIR long trains of logs rocking and rolling aloilJ,( th ·ou!!h ,·uts (1953) $75 and gashes tn the forest! 18 mtnutcs at 24 f1 ;, silent Perhaps ncwred mn1 used Lo dream that they, Loo, would roll their camera just at the moment a large Gemian dlrigible c:xplodc·d on the ground This ttghtly-cdtled Robert THE THUNDER OF STEAM IN Younp;!!Ou comp1latton contains that great Pathc footage of the Hmrknburg. along with gl1mpscs of the Graf Zcppeltn, THE BLUE RIDGE $ 165 the Akron, the Macon, and other blimps. balloons and Recently released fur the first time in 16mm color famous Icon!! of h~htcr than-air flight. 10 minutes. Kent Eastm. fU:1ckhawk's founder nncl an ~.xlraurdinnry roll fan, fell that this was one oi the 1,iosl drarn.i:.1c railroad PIONEER PLANES. PILOTS AND n!ms CVi!r lssut.d. Photographed by Fred Md -'Cod, most of the scene.~ were shot :n l 958 In the mounlnlnow1 area on the DAREDEVll,S $145 Norfolk & Weslr,ru's nld!I llnc l>clween Ko ,nokc and Dcdford, Virginia. You·II .sec the N&W's tough articulated Umqu<" scenes of aviation from 1906-1914, lncludtng all locomotives In the 2-6-6 4 and :l-8·8-2 whcd arrangemr:nls, famous plon<'cr9. Some material Is dupcy, but the content L~ pulling and pushing en the mountain grad<'s, anc, the 4-8·4 amazing. SIient, no music track: 23 mtnules al 18 f.p.s. passenger lc,con10Uvcs on some of Lhc ro;icJ'!I rlilmc tratns !luch as the Powhatan Arrow, th,· C,walic-r and the TlllS MECHANICAL AGE Pocahonlas. 'Jhc dlrc:ct original sou,ui of lh<' lonnnollvcs on the Blue Ridgr. grades, or (ln thr ,rp,·,:Jtng pasqenK(·r Lralns. 19 ( 1956. Academy Award Winner) $75 music for <..-very rail fan. 20 mlnut,-.~. A b1zarn- array of aeronautical experiments which almost flr,w. F'l.mny aud famou,i compilation by Robert Youngson. 10 mtnutcs. WESTERN TRAINS OF LONG AGO $75 'Ibis comptlallon of railroad ,,ev,s lahn l><:lwct·n 189:1 and Automobiles & Other 1903 was made In 1958 when Ulat·khawk rcph,llographcd evtdenttary p<1pcr po!illlvcs from the Lthr,,ry of CongTC!IS, The rc!iults arc remarkably good considering the age of the THE FIRST GLIDDEN TOUR material. You'll see U1e Northern Pac1lk Overland E> pn·s.'i (1905) $65 at Helena, Monlana. 1900; the Union Pacific Ovnland lkre !!I a f.1l,ulous subject that pic:LllrCS almosl three dozen Limited, 1902: Santa Fe California Limilt·d 1898; Southern .iutomobilc,:i that partre1p;'lted in the first competition for Paclllc Overland :'vial!. 1893; South.-rn Pacific S11nsct Limited, 1898: ,ind cxccpllonally good , overage of the tl1c Glidden Trophy and the hill chmb up Mt. Washington. Youll 'l<'C Wint, n. 27 NEW 16mm RELEASES FROM HAL ROACH STUDIOS (Restricted to United States and Canada) PACK UP YOUR TROUBLES (1932) $395 Here i• the ort,inal uncut version of this Laurel le Hardy favorite -- re•tor!na more than five minutes of footage which baa been miHing from the film for decades, with all original titles, improved picture and bell-clear aoundt It's 1917; Stan and Ollie are recruited for the Army ("Just as I thought -- a couple of crummy, no-good slackers!"); after their wartime escapades, they keep a promise made to their buddy killed in action, locate his little girl (the people are named SmJth), and reunite her with her wealthy grandparents. Wrote a critic for the New York Herald-Tribune: "The gags, if now and then somewhat moth-eaten, kept the Capitol audience in gales of laughter . . .. Or rather, It would be more accurate to say the use of these gags by Mr. Laurel and Mr. Hardy." Directed by George Marshall; the cast Includes Donald Dlllaway, Charles Middleton, Billy Gilbert, Grady Sutton, James Finlayson, JacqQe Lyn. 69 minutes. WHISPERING WHOOPEE (1930) $145 Charley Chase hopes the Rockaway Chamber of Commerce will buy some property he has there -- lf he shows their purchasing committee a good time. To cinch the sale. Charley hires three. er, ladles of the evening to whoop things up big. But instead of the original buyers, Rockaway sends three dourpusses. All looks bad unUI Charley breaks the Ice with a game of post office, and the butler serves practically pure alcohol billed as juice. We especially like the Rockaway Booster song, where ''verdant hills" rhymes with "knitting mills". This very funny fllm ends with a sdtzer fight on a truly Wagnerian scale. Featuring Anita Garvin, Thelma Todd, Dell Henderson, Carl S ockdale; directed by James W. Home. 21 minutes. THE SPANKING AGE (1928) $165 Newly restored. 1HE SPANKING AGE is one of the rarest extant Our Gang comedies. never televised nor circulated on film since Its first release by MGM In 1928. It's also a real charmerl Wheezer and Mary Ann are neglected In favor of their stepmother's own unctious child, Jean Darling. The old meanie abuses the two kids, who take It out on Pete the Pup, who in tum goes after the cat. "Spanked If they did, spanked If they didn't ... so they did ... ", Mary Ann decides to throw an elegant party with homemade shrimp salad and Invites the Gang to the culinary disaster which results. Beyond its Wit and general felicity, THE SPANKING AGE Is a real stylistic experiment. Its camera always assumes the child's point of view, so adults are shown only from the waist down. Perhaps director Robert McGowan was tired of the publicity being given to fancy Imported filmmakers and wanted to show that even the humble two-reel comedy could scale the heights of cinema art! Very nice prints; score from MGM Vltaphone discs. 20 minutes. THE BIG KICK (1930) $145 Harry Langdon's 1929-1930 series of two-reel comedies for Hal Roach has a terrible reputation. Some of the films may deserve it, but THE BIG KICK is very, very good. Although there is a story - detective Edgar Kennedy, hot on the trail of two bootleggers, eventually captures them In a shootout at the gas station where Harry works -- Langdon's elf character spends most of the fllm in his own eccentric world, performing extended solo pantomime like a baby with an exceptionally Jong attention span! Langdon works off props -- a watering can, an air compressor, a balloon, a row of dummies -- and sets his own pace. The comedy makes a clever use of sound effects, and Harry has a few lines of dialogue, but since there's hardly anyone for him to talk to, at least half the film Is wordless (there Is a musical score of breezy '20's favorites like "Ain't We Got Fun" and "What'll I Do?" checkerboarded with stock silent picture themes). THE BIG KICK compares favorably With the two reel Mack Sennett comedies which made Langdon a star. Blackhawk's printing negative is made from a nitrate fine grain and quality Is very good. 20 minutes.